Tours de Merle, Medieval fortress in Saint-Geniez-ô-Merle, France.
Tours de Merle is a medieval fortress with seven towers standing on a rocky outcrop above the Maronne River. The towers and their remains show the defensive structures that different families once shared to protect the settlement below.
The fortress began when different noble families built their towers one after another on the rock between the 12th and 15th centuries. Each family expanded their defensive structures as needed, creating a growing fortification with multiple separate yet connected buildings.
The site shows how different noble families lived and ruled together, each controlling their own tower within the fortified settlement. You can still see today how this shared power is reflected in the spatial layout of the buildings.
This site is best explored on a dry day, as steep paths lead to the towers and the ground can be slippery. Wear comfortable walking shoes and plan several hours if you want to examine all areas and structures thoroughly.
The fortress was originally much more than just a fortification: it housed approximately 30 houses with thatched roofs and was home to over 100 people, including craftspeople and woodcutters. This lower settlement was tightly woven with the protection and supply of the fortress.
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