Roughly 30km south of Carteret, a turn off the main coastal road, the D650, leads to the Château de Pirou (Easter–June & Sept–Oct daily except Tues 10am–noon & 2–6.30pm; July & Aug daily 10am–6.30pm; Nov–Dec & mid-Feb to Easter daily except Tues 10am–noon & 2–5.30pm; €4), a few hundred metres away. Although you see nothing from the road, once you've passed through its three successive fortified gateways you'll find yourself confronted by a ravishing little castle. Some historians have suggested that this is the oldest castle in Normandy, dating back to the earliest Viking raids; it's thought to have taken its current form around the twelfth century.Alternate spellings:: France, Château de Pirou, Château de Pirou, Chateau de Pirou
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