Pleumeur-Bodou Castle – Chateau de Kerduel
Built: 12th Century
Status: Private
Visitable?: Sometimes, usually only the gardens
The castle located close to the city of Lannion in Brittany, the Chateau de Kerduel, is in the Pleumeur-Bodou area.
The oldest part of the castle was built in the 12th century. Legend has it that King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table stayed here. In fact, the name of the castle, Kerduel, is thought to have come from King Arthur’s castle, Carduel.
Chapel at the Chateau de Kerduel in Pleumeur-Bodou, Brittany
The castle and chapel are situated next to a small stream and lake, and the castle grounds have a large forest surrounding the property.
Chateau de Kerduel in Pleumeur-Bodou, Brittany
Other parts of the castle were constructed in the 14th century and in 1890, so the castle has different styles.
Chateau de Kerduel in Pleumeur-Bodou, Brittany
You can see from the outside that there are several levels/floors to the castle, quite uneven.
Chateau de Kerduel in Pleumeur-Bodou, Brittany
On the side of the castle, on the top of the square tower is a clock.
Chateau de Kerduel in Pleumeur-Bodou, Brittany
The back of the house faces a garden. The palm trees are not there normally, they were part of an antique’s roadshow.
Chateau de Kerduel and chapel in Pleumeur-Bodou, Brittany
The castle used to have fortified walls, but like many castles, they were removed over time.
Sign of noblesse at the Chateau de Kerduel in Pleumeur-Bodou, Brittany
On top of the castle you can clearly see one of the 5 signs of nobility (the rod with 3 balls, the other signs can be a private chapel, a private burial ground, canons and/or a dovecot).
Chapel at the Chateau de Kerduel in Pleumeur-Bodou, Brittany
The private chapel used to be inside the fortified walls.
Door of the Chapel at the Chateau de Kerduel in Pleumeur-Bodou, Brittany
A very small and low door brings you in the small chapel.
Inside the Chapel at the Chateau de Kerduel in Pleumeur-Bodou, Brittany
Inside the Chapel at the Chateau de Kerduel in Pleumeur-Bodou, Brittany
Ceiling of the Chapel at the Chateau de Kerduel in Pleumeur-Bodou, Brittany
Summary
The castle is quite beautiful but unfortunately, we were no able to visit the inside. If you are in the area, check with the local Tourist Office in Lannion if the castle or its grounds are visitable.
Click here to see the other castles in the area.
Related Posts
In a small 800 person village close to Lisieux is a castle that looks like a fairytale castle, the kind kids would draw. The village is called Saint-Germain-de -Livet, and the castle dates back to the 15th century. The castle was donated to the city of Lisieux in 1957. It is now…
The Galleville castle at Doudeville (the linen capital of France in Upper Normandy), is an enormous Chateau built in a town full of mansions and manors belonging to the linen barons. The castle was built in 1678 and since 1769 it has belonged to the same family. The 12…
The Filieres Castle, to be found close to the Gommerville village (in Upper Normandy), is very interesting to see. Built in 1599 the Henri IV style castle itself is quite big and the gardens are equally interesting (and not just for the plants and trees - read below why). …
The Valmont castle is most impressive; a mixture between a fortress and a castle, perched high on a hill overlooking the town of Valmont in Upper Normandy. The families who owned it were numerous (including English), one of them is well know since it belonged to the Grimaldi family…
The castle at the seatown of Pornic in Pays de Loire is the most visible item in the scenic landscape. It dominates the town. The castle is located partially on the sea promenade, partially on the public beach. So although the castle is in private hands, you can see it…
