Grey Tower (Tour Grise)
About Grey Tower (Tour Grise)
The Tour Grise is an imposing 13th-century medieval keep standing 45 meters tall, built in 1204 by King Philip II Augustus immediately after conquering Normandy from the English. Named after the distinctive grey-brown 'grison' stone - an alloy of flint and iron ore - the tower features massive 4-meter thick walls and a compact 9-meter interior diameter. As the last surviving structure of Verneuil's medieval castle complex, it now houses the 'Treasures of the Forgotten Battle' exhibition commemorating the bloody 1424 Battle of Verneuil during the Hundred Years' War. Visitors can climb to the top for panoramic 360° views, walk the authentic chemin de ronde (medieval guard walkway), and explore exhibits featuring a magnificent scale model of 13th-century Verneuil. The tower offers both self-guided visits and guided tours during summer season, plus a unique escape game experience. Note that opening hours are limited and seasonal - check the official website before visiting, especially outside July-September.
Interesting Facts
In 1889, entrepreneur Léon Duval-Lampérière purchased the tower and transformed it into an eccentric hotel-restaurant, adding bizarre decorations including fake fireplaces, statues, inscriptions, and a central spire on top. These 'fantaisiste' additions so defaced the historic monument that it lost its protected status in 1892. After the city acquired the tower around 1950, French heritage authorities spent years removing these Victorian-era embellishments to restore its authentic medieval appearance.
The 1424 Battle of Verneuil, commemorated in the tower's exhibition, was one of the bloodiest clashes of the Hundred Years' War - yet it remains largely forgotten in popular history. Nearly 18,000 French and Scottish soldiers faced 14,000 English troops in a devastating defeat that killed over 7,000 combatants in a single day, making it comparable in casualties to the famous Battle of Agincourt.
The tower earned the nickname 'L'inébranlable Tour Grise' (The Unwavering Grey Tower) for surviving over 800 years of tumultuous history. While the entire medieval castle was dismantled in 1632 on orders of King Louis XII, and the adjacent falconry ruins crumbled, this solitary sentinel has endured wars, revolutions, and even its temporary conversion into a Victorian novelty hotel.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Ticket Prices
General Admission
RecommendedEscape Game
Available July-September. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 18:00. Duration: 1h15min. For 2-6 players. Reservation required.
Location & Practical Info
Address
70 Rue de la Tour Grise, 27130 Verneuil d'Avre et d'Iton, France