Château de Fougères

The farmhouse is just 45 minutes from the wonderful chateau of Fourgeres. TheChâteau de Fougères (April–Sept daily 9am–noon & 2–6pm; Oct–March daily except Tues 10am–noon & 2–4.30pm; 25F/€3.81) provides a good contrast to Cheverny. It lies in the village of FOUGÈRES-SUR-BIÈVRE, 10km southwest of Cheverny, and was built in 1470 by Louis XI's chancellor, who was clearly sceptical about long-term peace. It is a veritable fortress, with spiky towers and the theme of war running through the building, with sculptured soldiers and battle scenes above arches and on door lintels and chimneys. Come the sixteenth century – here as elsewhere – Italianate windows were fashioned onto former blank walls and steep roofs, but it still looks as if it expects an attack and is concealing its defences as a tactic. It could hardly be a more peaceful place now, and is rarely overrun with visitors.

(information coutesy of rough guides travel)

See more here

Mont Saint Michel

Mont St. Michel is on the north coast of France, near the border of Brittany and Normandy, and home to centuries of tradition.
In the early eighth century, the Archangel Michael appeared to Bishop Aubert of Avranges, who started an oratory. In 966, a Benedictine monastery was established. In 1020, Richard II began the Abbey Church, and supported Abbot Hildebert's construction efforts. Over time, the spiritual foundations of the abbey waned, and in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries it was used as a prison. In 1874, the French government assumed responsibility for the abbey's upkeep and restoration.

What makes this monument striking, and the destination of so many visitors in the past twelve centuries, is its magnificent, almost arrogant location.