The castle in the Middle Ages

The history of the Château de Josselin goes back to the beginning of the 11th century. In 1008, Guéthenoc, Viscount of Porhoët, Rohan and Guémené, decided to build a fortified town and a château on this rocky promontory dominating the Oust valley. The fortress and the surrounding town were named after his son, Goscelinus.

In 1370, following an exchange with his cousin, Count of Alençon, Olivier de Clisson, High Constable of France, became the proprietor of Josselin.
Using the existing château, Clisson constructed a veritable fortress.