Château de Vogüé, Medieval castle in Vogüé, France.
Château de Vogüé rises on limestone cliffs above the Ardèche river, marked by four round towers and large windows in Renaissance style throughout its structure. Inside, multiple rooms open to visitors, including a chapel and a hall decorated with historical paintings.
The fortress was founded around 1084 to control river crossings and collect tolls from travelers, establishing it as a key stronghold in the region. Over centuries, the castle was enlarged and modified, notably during the Renaissance when bigger windows were added to modernize the structure.
The chapel reflects how the castle's residents used the space for both worship and family memory, displaying carvings of religious figures alongside modern stained glass that shows changing tastes across centuries.
Visitors can explore several areas, including a dungeon, chapel, and historic halls decorated with paintings related to regional governance. The best time to visit is during warmer months when outdoor areas and gardens are also accessible and comfortable to walk through.
A garden was built over filled moats and literally hangs over the slope, creating an unexpected elevated space with views of the village below. This creative use of limited space shows how former residents found practical solutions to work with the challenging terrain.
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