Dominated by a castle built in 1,000 and considered the biggest in Europe, Fougères  was a strategic point of defence of the main routes  between Brittany, Normandy and France. 

The castle is just a part of this beautiful town which is full of fountains and statues.

Walk through the Le Val Nançon gardens and admire "l’Oeuvre à la Vie " , a modern sculpture made from glass which is a symbol of peace and represents all the cultures of the world.  The sculpture was unveiled in May 2000. 

Glass making has been an industry in Fougères region since the 16th century when Italian glass specialists came to the town.  Shoe-making was another industry that developed towards the end of the 19th century and thus Fougères became one of the main French shoe manufacturing centres.

Fougères has a church with one of the oldest belfries in France and certainly the oldest in Brittany.  The Church of Saint Sulpice has a statue to Notre Dame des Marais (Our Lady of the Marshes). During the first week-end of October the Pardon de Notre-Dame des Marais, à Fougères is held.
 

The Parc Floral de Haut Bretagne is just outside Fourgeres - well worth a visit.     http://www.parcfloralbretagne.com/

Famous Fougères Residents:

Chateaubriand - famous writer often stayed here with his sisters

Victor Hugo - visited and stayed in Fougères which was the home of his mistress Juliette Drouet's  and whilst there started one of famous novels Quatre-vingt-treize". Juliette also accompanied him to Guernsey.

Balzac stayed in the town and wrote Les Chouans" in 1828.  He left the town 3,500 of his books.

Fougères born, Armand Tuffin de a Rouërie went to America, where during the War of Independence, he was known as le Colonel Armand, during the war of independence. He returned to Brittany and founded the Breton Association  in 1791 he was involved in a rebellion which defended Breton rights.  Sadly one his companions betrayed him and died of exhaustion at the Château de la Guyomarais on January 30^th, 1793 while trying to escape.

Hotel Balzac

Charming eighteenth century hotel  located in the heart of the medieval town, combines tradition with modern comfort and up to date facilities for the business customer. 

Tél : 02.99.99.42.46
Fax : 02.99.99.65.43
e-mail : balzachotel@wanadoo.fr
Site : www.balzachotel.com