Château de l'Ours, château fort français
Château de l'Ours is a medieval castle ruin in Sainte-Thérence, built in the 13th century atop a rocky hilltop. The main structure is a round keep about 20 meters (65 feet) tall with walls over 2 meters (6 feet) thick, surrounded by ruins of additional buildings and natural cliff faces on three sides.
Built around 1210 by the Lord of Bourbon as a fortress to defend against English attacks, the castle was later modified in the 15th century. The site was gradually abandoned by the 16th century and protected as a historic monument starting in 1995.
The name 'Ours' (Bear) may come from a local noble family or from the nearby stream that shares the same name. Local legends speak of wild bears or supernatural creatures that once inhabited this area, though the stream explanation remains the most straightforward.
Access is via a straightforward walking path from the main road through small hamlets, requiring no significant physical effort. Wear sturdy shoes as the ground can be uneven, and some areas of the ruin are unstable or slippery due to time and weathering.
The keep's entrance door sits several meters above ground and was originally accessed only by a wooden drawbridge that could be removed during siege. This defensive design shows the clever security measures medieval fortress builders used to protect against intruders.
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