Château de Montbel, Medieval castle ruins in Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont, France.
The Château de Montbel stands as a ruined medieval fortress perched on a narrow promontory at 948 meters elevation, offering commanding views over the Entremonts valleys and surrounding Alpine peaks.
Originally constructed in the 10th century and later called Château du Gouvernement, the castle served as the second fief of the Lords of Entremont until Cardinal Richelieu ordered its destruction in 1633.
Designated as Patrimoine en Isère, the castle represents regional feudal heritage and medieval military architecture, featuring stone foundations and partial walls that reveal its former defensive importance.
Accessible year-round via a three-hour walk from Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont, the site requires appropriate footwear for uneven terrain and offers marked pathways suitable for visitors of all ages.
The fortress was once accompanied by a swift called Noirfont and later purchased by Carthusian monks in 1694 who attempted reconstruction before the French Revolution led to its final abandonment.
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