Photo : Wikimedia Commons
Château de Péronne
The majestic castle of Péronne, in the Somme, was commissioned by Philip Augustus in the early 13th century. It keeps its medieval appearance, notably its massive towers.
It was the scene of a dramatic episode in French history. In 1468 it belonged to the Duchy of Burgundy, that is, to Charles the Bold. Conflicts with King Louis XI led to a meeting between them inside the castle. Louis XI arrived with a small escort, but at the same time the manipulative king was secretly stirring up a revolt in Liège. When Charles learned of this betrayal, he had the king locked up in the castle prison, a terrible humiliation for the French crown. Louis XI only obtained his release by signing a treaty granting concessions, including the surrender of several towns on the Somme: the Treaty of Péronne. Only the south-west front of the castle survives today.
