An ideal location in the heart of the Loire Valley !
History
Pontlevoy
has played an important part in the shaping of French history. It was
the site of a dispute between Eudes II, Count of Blois, and Foulques
Nerra (the Black Falcon), the Count of Anjou. The Black Falcon was a
strategist and managed to take control of the area, building strong
fortresses. He set his sights on the nearby town of Tours, but on his
way there he was obstructed by two fortresses, that of Saint-Aignan and
that of Pontlevoy, guarded by Gueldouin. He moved on to Mont Reveau
(Montrichard) where he immediately constructed another fortress to
maintain control of the vallée du Cher. In 1011 Foulques Nerra left for
Jerusalem, and when he returned he set off again towards Tours. As he
advanced it was clear that he was going to directly threaten the town.
The Count of Blois decided to take action.
Located where the
Touraine, Blésois, and Sologne cross borders, the community of
Pontlevoy has approximately 1,500 inhabitants and an area of 5,111
hectares. About 200km from Paris, and 25km south of Blois, Pontlevoy is
in the heart of the Loire chateaux country.
Within
a biking distance from Chenonceaux (20 kms) Pontlevoy is a beautiful
village and the residence of many artits and foreigners during it's
history.
On July 6, 1016, the
Count of Blois gathered his army and headed for Montrichard, taking an
old Roman road. Meanwhile, the Black Falcon (Count of Anjou) and his
army were taking another Roman road towards the Forêt de Sudais. When
the Count of Blois entered Pontlevoy, he and his army ran into the
Count of Anjou coming out of the wood. The shock was terrible, and a
huge fight ensued. It seemed as though the Count of Blois had the
advantage when the Black Falcon was wounded, and his troups began to
retreat. That was until the fateful arrival of Herbert Éveille Chien,
ally of the Count of Anjou. The Blésoise army bent under the fresh
attack of the Angevins, and more than 6,000 died and were taken
captured. To this day the site of the battle in north-west Pontlevoy is
remembered as the "Champ de Bataille."
The battle at Pontlevoy
certainly changed history, as from that time onwards the Count of Blois
could not overcome the Count of Anjou. It was the descendents of Anjou
who eventually yielded control of the Anjou area to Henry III of
England. The Pontlevoy website concludes the story: if the Count of
Blois had won the battle, who knows what would have happened. Perhaps
the English would not have occupied France, perhaps the Hundred Year
War would not have happened, and who knows what else...?!
Links : L'abbaye de Pontlevoy http://www.eurabbey.com/history.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our properties in Pontlevoy
Le Manoir de la pleine lune : 250 M2 - Jardin privatif -
Sauna - Location saisonnière uniquement
Les souliers enchantées : 130 M2 - 3 chambres de charmes, dans le coeur historique du village - Salon -- Internet - Sauna