Copy of Aigues

Carl M. Stultz, 48, from Region: Washington State, USA, wrote:

I lived in Coucy-le-Chateau, the town surrounding this castle, for two years when I was a boy, and climbed and played among these ruins every moment I could. It was a magical place to live and explore then, surrounded by the Gobain forest where wild boars and brown bears still roamed in those days (1959-1961). I revisited Coucy in the summer of '99, and found that the castle is being slowly restored by French craftsmen. Wonderful! It also hosts a medieval festival in June and July that recreates events from the castle's history, complete with a knight's tournament. I highly recommend anyone visiting northern or central France to make the side trip here. It's worth your while!

Tom Carroll, from Illinois, wrote:

If you are interested in this castle, read _A Distant Mirror_ by Barbara Tuchman. While it is about Europe in the 1300s, it is especially about the Sire de Coucy, Enguerrand VII. There are nice illustrations of the castle in this book as well. The book is well written and should be read by *anyone* interested in Medieval Europe.

Major Donald A. Neill, 35, from Brussels, Belgium, wrote:

I visited Coucy-le-Chateau with my family in late May, 2001. The castle, despite its ruined condition, remains one of the most impressive examples of medieval military architecture I have ever seen. While nothing remains of the donjon, when one considers that it was twice the size of the four corner towers, the foundations of which are still in remarkable condition, one begins to grasp the extent of technological development of the period. The cellars, which are approximately the size of a modern parking garage and remain structurally sound after 800 years (and a good many wars), give the visitor an even better idea of how well the builders built. Visitors are strongly recommended to read Barbara Tuchman's "A Distant Mirror" prior to visiting, both for information peculiar to Coucy and the last lord of that dynasty, but also to the high middle ages in general. An excellent experience; I'll be going back.

Anita Anthony, 52, from Oklahoma, USA, wrote:

I visited Coucy in July, 1997. I was disappointed that so little of the castle was left after being destroyed by the Germans in World War I. It must have been magnificent in its day! The views from the castle were beautiful! I remember watching sheep grazing in the green fields nearby. A thunderstorm hit while we explored the ruins and only added to the adventure! It's worth a visit!

Marc Patiou from France wrote:

Coucy is approx.25 miles from my home and I visited it several times Not only the ruins are beautiful but they lay at the summit of a hill that dominate the surroundings by around 600 feet. Needless to say that the view is gorgeous! Especially in Autumn when the near forest of St Gobain is blooming with Fall colors. If you want to visit it, from Paris, take the A1 Northbound and leave at exit 12,following the direction of Soissons.Then, on the road to Blérancourt (French-American WW1 museum) you will find the direction of Conceit is a 2 hours trip from Paris. And do not forget to visit other place in Picardy, including Compiègne, my hometown, where Jeanne of Arc was taken prisoner by English forces

Christian Wilson, 22, from Ontario, Canada, wrote:

Coucy is perhaps one of my favorite castles that I have studied. Compared to even the biggest of castles in France it is a monster. French donjons (keeps) are usually around 100ft tall and 50ft
diam., but Coucy's was 200ft and 100ft diam. ! It was surrounded by 4 towers of 100ft x54ft diam. Essentially, it's a typical 13th century castle, built by a powerful vassal of St. Louis c. A.D. 1225.

N Van Duin, 28, from Netherlands, wrote:

One of the biggest and may be the biggest castles of France. Enormous donjon 60m high 30m diam. blown up in the great war. Castle lays in ruins, but is still magnificent.