Château de Milly-la-Forêt, Medieval castle in Milly-la-Forêt, France
Château de Milly-la-Forêt is a stone castle with two crenellated towers flanking its entrance and a central gatehouse that once held a drawbridge and portcullis mechanism. The property is surrounded by maintained gardens, water canals fed by a nearby river, and preserved outbuildings positioned near the main gate.
The castle was built in the 12th century by the Lords of Milly and required rebuilding after an English siege in 1432. Major modifications followed in the late 15th century, substantially altering its appearance.
The castle shows how French defensive structures changed over time and blended different architectural styles together. You can see this evolution clearly in how the rooms and buildings fit together.
The site is located about one hour from Paris and is easily reached by car or train. Plan to spend several hours exploring the buildings and gardens at a leisurely pace.
In 1475 the castle's central gatehouse was unusually transformed, replacing the traditional keep structure. This redesign was uncommon for French fortifications and shows how the castle adapted to changing needs.
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