The campsites
By department
By department
The Great Keep and Extensions
The great keep, emblem of the castle's military power, dates back to the Hundred Years' War. This impressive circular tower rises 30 meters high, with a diameter of 10.45 meters and walls over 4 meters thick. Crowning it is a gallery of machicolated battlements, reinforcing the castle’s defenses.
Between the square tower and the great keep, from the 15th century onwards, richly ornamented residential buildings were constructed, bordering three sides of the large rectangular courtyard. These works were completed in the 16th century. Formerly, two additional turrets adorned these extensions, though they were perceived as an incongruous addition to the rest of the ensemble.
External Buildings and Ruins
Around the castle, several ruined buildings bear witness to the site's past grandeur:
- The Miches Tower, also known as the guard tower, displays a regular bossage that allowed for deflecting enemy projectiles.
- The Great Bailhe (courtyard) served as a refuge for vassals during periods of unrest.
- The Small Bailhe housed the village peasants in times of war.
- The Chapel of St. Foy, now in ruins, reminds us of the site's religious connection.
- The great stables preserve only an ogival lava-topped arch where one can still discern a representation of Saint George slaying the dragon.
A Prestigious Property
The Tournoël castle was once the property of the counts of Auvergne, an influential family in the region. Despite centuries and the vicissitudes of history, this fortress still testifies to its strategic role and importance in the military and political landscape of medieval Auvergne.
Vous avez visité cette activité ? Partagez votre expérience !
edit Soyez le premier à déposer un avis
Nous utilisons des cookies pour améliorer la navigation sur notre site en conservant vos critères de recherche.
En refusant ces cookies, certaines pages ne fonctionneront pas correctement.
Vous pouvez choisir de tout refuser, accepter uniquement les cookies nécessaires sans Google Analytics, ou accepter tout.
Calculate your route