Château de Carry, Medieval castle ruins in Haute-Loire, France.
Château de Carry is a medieval castle in Haute-Loire whose ruins include a fortified gatehouse and a distinctive pentagonal tower spanning four levels. The structure sits on elevated ground with clear views over the Lignon valley and features rounded arch windows set into thick stone walls.
Construction began in 1136 under the lordship of Hitier de Vertamise as a defensive stronghold in the region. The structure underwent modifications and reinforcements through the following centuries, with the distinctive pentagonal tower becoming a key part of its design.
The remains show how medieval builders designed fortifications to protect their territories and control the valley below. Features like arrow slits and battlements reveal the practical needs of defense that shaped every part of the structure.
The site is private property and currently closed to visitors due to safety concerns about the condition of the ruins. You can view the structure from nearby vantage points, but entry to the property is restricted.
The pentagonal tower has a partially vaulted ground floor, an uncommon feature for castles of this era that shows advanced building techniques. The preserved defensive wooden brattices on the southwest side reveal how defenders added protective outworks to strengthen vulnerable points.
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