Château de Ratilly, Medieval fortress in Treigny, France.
Château de Ratilly is a medieval castle in Treigny-Perreuse-Sainte-Colombe, France, built with six towers arranged around a rectangular courtyard and surrounded by dry moats. The stone structure is listed as a historic monument and stands as one of the older examples of medieval military building in Burgundy.
The fortress was built in 1270 and later served as a refuge for Huguenots fleeing persecution in 1567. In 1587, Marie du Puy carried out major restoration work that helped keep the structure standing to this day.
A pottery workshop has operated inside the castle walls since 1951, where artisans make handcrafted stoneware marked with an owl symbol. Visitors can watch the craftspeople at work and buy pieces in the shop on site.
The castle is open to visitors and can be explored on foot, though some areas have stairs and uneven ground, so sturdy footwear is a good idea. It is worth setting aside enough time to visit the craft workshops located within the grounds as well.
The southwest tower was converted into a dovecote at some point after the castle was built, with new chimneys and windows cut into the original medieval walls. This change shows how the building adapted to everyday needs over time without losing its older structure.
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