Château de Val, Medieval castle in Lanobre, France
The Château de Val is a castle perched on rocky terrain that rises distinctly from the landscape above the reservoir. Its six towers topped with crenellations and rectangular central building form a recognizable silhouette typical of medieval fortress design.
The castle began as a foundation in the 13th century before Guillaume IV d'Estaing rebuilt most of what we see today in the 15th century. Significant renovations over the following years ensured the structure survived and remained standing.
The castle holds meaning for locals as a landmark tied to the region's history and identity, visible from many points around the lake. Summer brings art exhibitions that mix modern creativity with the medieval spaces, creating conversations between past and present.
The castle is reachable from the lake side or from above via a pathway, and many visitors spend time viewing it from different angles around the site. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven and some paths have steep sections.
The dam built at Bort-les-Orgues transformed this site completely by turning it into a peninsula surrounded by water where it once sat on dry land. This change from the original landscape happened within living memory and altered how the castle appears to visitors today.
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