It was Gauthier Giffard, a companion of William the Conqueror at the battle of Hastings, who became the protector of this region in the 11th century. He had a priory and a feudal castle built there, which was to occupy a strategic place and make the town a first-rate economic location.
The fiefdom, which became a County, was later transformed into a Duchy linked to the Orleans family.
From the priory, only a few remains remain, as for the castle, its ruins are still visible today.