Château de Montmayeur, Medieval castle ruins in Villard-Sallet, France.
Château de Montmayeur is a castle ruin located at 800 meters elevation on the Montraillant ridge, controlling routes between Chambéry and Italy through the Maurienne valley. The site has a rectangular layout spanning roughly 250 meters with two surviving towers from the late medieval period.
The castle was first documented in 1173 and served as a strategic outpost for the Counts of Savoy. It became the seat of the Montmayeur family until the 15th century, when its importance as a stronghold gradually declined.
The rectangular enclosure contains two preserved towers from the late 14th century, showing how medieval military structures were built in the Savoy region. Walking through the ruins reveals the layout and design choices that made these fortifications effective for defense.
The ruin sits on a mountain ridge at elevation and requires a significant climb to visit. The best times to explore are during good weather when visibility across the surrounding mountains is clearest.
Archaeological excavations from 1992 to 1998 directed by Jean-Michel Poisson revealed substantial information about the castle's construction and its inhabitants across the centuries. These excavations uncovered details about how medieval occupants adapted and modified the structure over time.
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