Château de Pernant, Medieval fortress in Pernant, France
Château de Pernant is a stone castle with a square layout and four corner towers positioned on a hilltop overlooking the Pernant valley. Underground chambers beneath the keep once served as storage and defensive positions during times of conflict.
The fortress first appeared in records in 1322 when Guillaume de Bouclenay received a tithe exemption document for the property. Over the centuries, it changed hands and purposes until World War I brought dramatic destruction.
The castle belonged to the Gonnelieu family for generations, who transformed it from a military stronghold into a comfortable residence. Visitors can see how the building evolved over time, with spaces adapted for both defense and living.
The grounds reveal defensive features including the underground chambers and structures built for protection. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the terrain is uneven and some passages are narrow.
Heavy artillery fire in 1918 left the castle severely damaged and uninhabited for more than 90 years afterward. Restoration work only started in 2011, revealing how warfare left its mark on the building.
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