Approximately 27 miles west of Rennes, along the edge of the Provence of Britanny (near Normandy) is the town of Vitre. Sitting on the banks of the Vilaine River, Vitre became a military outpost under the Merovingian dynasty in the late 7th century.
During the Gallo-Roman era, circa 1000 AD, the setttlement became known as “Vitre” - the name deriving from the Gallo-Roman “Victor” or “Victrix” reportedly after a farmer from the region. This occurred when Geoffrey I, the Duke of Brittany bestowed feudal powers upon Riwallon Le Victaire in order to make this strategic region a buffer zone (known as the “Marches of Brittany”) against Norman invasions.
In the late 13th century, Vitre took on its current form as a traditional medieval walled city, when it was encircled by fortified ramparts.. Two hundred years later, the city’s castle was decommissioned as a military post and converted into a “comfortable” residence for one Jeanne of Leval-Chatillon. At the same time, many mansions and half-timbered residences were being constructed within the city.
Since 1472, Vitre’s Market Square became a center for the international trade of textiles. During the French Invasion of Brittany (1488) , the city was seized by Charles VIII’s troops, officially annexing it as part of France. In the 18th century, the city had lost much of its economic vitality and became a town of “...secondary importance.” By the time of the French Revolution (1789), the city had begun to regain some of its economic importance, especially with the arrival of the railroads (which transformed it into a transportation hub).
World War II, had little negative impact on the city. The ensuing economic boom saw the city grow from a post-war 8000 population to over 19,000 by 2018. Today, Vitre has been designated as a town of “artistic and historic significance.”
During the Gallo-Roman era, circa 1000 AD, the setttlement became known as “Vitre” - the name deriving from the Gallo-Roman “Victor” or “Victrix” reportedly after a farmer from the region. This occurred when Geoffrey I, the Duke of Brittany bestowed feudal powers upon Riwallon Le Victaire in order to make this strategic region a buffer zone (known as the “Marches of Brittany”) against Norman invasions.
In the late 13th century, Vitre took on its current form as a traditional medieval walled city, when it was encircled by fortified ramparts.. Two hundred years later, the city’s castle was decommissioned as a military post and converted into a “comfortable” residence for one Jeanne of Leval-Chatillon. At the same time, many mansions and half-timbered residences were being constructed within the city.
Since 1472, Vitre’s Market Square became a center for the international trade of textiles. During the French Invasion of Brittany (1488) , the city was seized by Charles VIII’s troops, officially annexing it as part of France. In the 18th century, the city had lost much of its economic vitality and became a town of “...secondary importance.” By the time of the French Revolution (1789), the city had begun to regain some of its economic importance, especially with the arrival of the railroads (which transformed it into a transportation hub).
World War II, had little negative impact on the city. The ensuing economic boom saw the city grow from a post-war 8000 population to over 19,000 by 2018. Today, Vitre has been designated as a town of “artistic and historic significance.”
Occupying the highest point in town, the Vitre Notre Dame Cathedral was constructed between the 15th and 16th centuries.
Originally built in the 13th century, the Castle of Rochers-Sevigne has been in the Sevigne family since 1410.
Built of wood in 1000 AD, Chateau de Vitre burned down so many times that Baron Robert I of Vitre had it re-constructed in stone. It was subsequently rebuilt and expanded over the centuries. During the 17th century, it began to decline and was eventually abandoned before the city purchased it in 1820 and restored it.
China was the first to create half-timbered houses (in which the structural timbers were exposed), but quickly became fashionable in Western Europe during the Middle Ages.
Vitre’s narrow streets make it quite picturesque.
Perhaps the most photographed building in town is the 16th century Madison de Lisle, with its shop on the ground floor and residence up above.
The fortified Porte d’Embas tower was one of the 18th century city gates.
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