Château de Mercuret, Medieval castle in Retournac, France.
Château de Mercuret is a medieval manor house with a rectangular layout and four corner turrets, with two additional towers projecting from the north and south sides. The building's form comes from the arrangement of these towers, which define its overall silhouette.
The building was constructed before the 15th century as a fortified residence and underwent major modifications during the 18th century. These later changes significantly altered its medieval appearance.
The interior rooms show French craftwork with carved wooden elements, wall paintings, and fireplaces that reflect regional building traditions. These details reveal how wealthy residents once decorated their private spaces following local design customs.
The castle is private property and closed to the public, but visible from outside in a small village in the Haute-Loire region. Visitors can photograph it from nearby roads and view the distinctive architecture from the perimeter.
Three of the original towers were demolished in 1793 during the French Revolution, which drastically altered the defensive structure. This loss remains visible today in the uneven arrangement of the remaining towers.
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