Curiosities of Moncontour !!!

Posted in Bretagne, France

I have passed by its lower road the D768 many times and never came into the town of Moncontour, until now. With so much to see, figure it was time for me to take a look at it up close and personal. Therefore, we took off for a tour of the unknown yet familiar territory. Moncontour is located in the Côtes-d’Armor department 22 in my lovely Bretagne region, and in my belle France. It is part of the Petites Cités de Caractère (small towns of character) and the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France association (the most beautiful villages of France). The town is located 25 km from Saint-Brieuc, and 85 km from my home. Let me tell you a bit more on curiosities of Moncontour !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The castle ramparts (12-13C) were restored by Geoffroy Botterel II, count of Penthièvre, in 1137 Significant works are reported to have been carried out in the second half of the 14C under Charles de Blois, then under Olivier de Clisson, which made Moncontour one of the strongest places in Brittany. In 1492, Charles VIII ordered Gilles de Kermené, his governor, to have the walls repaired. The upper and lower doors, as well as their drawbridges, were repaired in 1694.

Moncontour castle ramparts walls of fortified city nov21

The Church Saint-Mathurin or the Church Notre-Dame and Saint-Mathurin (15-16C) was rebuilt in the 18C and restored between 1890 and 1902. It is located in the center of the city, place Penthièvre. Originally, the church was dedicated to Sainte-Anne. The cure of Notre-Dame was given in 1050 to the Saint-Sauveur abbey in Redon, then, later, to the Saint-Melaine abbey in Rennes. In the 15C, the church was a rectangular building with corner towers and a porch, which faced the market halls on Place Penthièvre. The current church of Moncontour bore, in 1408 and 1516, the title of Notre-Dame Church, but in 1546, it took that of Notre-Dame and Saint-Mathurin Church. The bell tower, located north of the choir, was rebuilt between 1584 and 1587.

Moncontour ch Saint Mathurin left side belltower nov21

There is a nice small park at the tip overlooking the lower town, this is the Jardin de l’Europe Jean Monnet. A quiet place surrounded by wonderful peaceful houses of old. A great view over the valley and the lower town of Moncontour. A great spot our dog Rex really love !!! green at last he might have said lol!

Moncontour jardin de l'europe jean monnet views nov21

The maison des musiciens or the musicians’ house is open to groups looking for a place to repeat. This home of musicians was erected to promote the musical development of the youngest. The House of Musicians is occupied by the Fanfare drums of Moncontour, champion of France in several categories.

Moncontour maison des musiciens nov21

The city of Moncontour on its heritage :  https://moncontour.bzh/type-de-service/artsculture/

The local Cap d’Erguy Val Andre tourist office on Moncontour : https://www.capderquy-valandre.com/en/moncontour

The Côtes d’Armor dept 22 tourist office on Moncontour : https://www.cotesdarmor.com/a-voir-a-faire/patrimoine/villes-et-villages-classes/moncontour/

The Bretagne region tourist office on Moncontour : https://www.brittanytourism.com/destinations/the-10-destinations/saint-brieuc-bay-paimpol-les-caps/moncontour/

There you go folks, another dandy in my lovely Bretagne. We like this fortified town of Moncontour, and surely will be back, there is a lot more to see and revisit those seen. A lovely step into another era with great architecture and history compact all around you. Again, hope you enjoy the post on curiosities of Moncontour !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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