Ruins of an underground castle 640 years old
The Château de l'Hermine in Vannes hidden beneath a 14th-century hotel is a remarkable find. Beneath the courtyard of the Lagorce Hotel in Vannes France lies the foundations of this remarkably well-preserved structure. Built around 1380 the site was historically used for mining quarrying and in the case of the "muches" (hidden spaces) shelters from war. This site also mentions the medieval underground city of Naour with its more than 300 rooms carved into the limestone serving as refuges for local residents.The Underground City of Naours is a site of the Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front. /photo credit : Sir John Monash Centre
The discovery highlights the exceptional skill of medieval craftsmanship as the structure was built in a single phase indicating vast financial and labor resources. The castle served as the residence of King John IV the Conqueror in the 1380s but was abandoned approximately 100 years later. The ruins comprise a 42-meter-long 17-meter-wide dwelling a protective moat and a tower. Archaeologists from the INRAP organization discovered the remarkably well-preserved foundations of the Château de l'Hermine.Lost 14th-century castle found under hotel in France - Travel Tomorrow / photo credit : traveltomorrow
This discovery demonstrates the high level of medieval craftsmanship as the structure was constructed in a single phase. This indicates the immense financial and labor resources required. The site is lauded for its exceptional preservation with artifacts such as clothing shoes keys and padlocks found within the moat. Beyond the thick outer walls archaeologists discovered the moat rectangular towers numerous staircases and a complex plumbing system. The ruins were discovered beneath the La Gorce Hotel in Vannes during excavations in the spring and autumn of 2023 prior to the construction of the new art museum.
