Château de l'Hers, Medieval castle ruin and winery in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France.
Château de l'Hers is a medieval castle ruin with an active winery in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where stone walls and towers define the site. The surviving structures include a lower chamber of the keep, sections of a fourteenth-century round tower, and remnants of fortified walls that once enclosed the property.
The castle served as a control point for river traffic from late antiquity onward, with archaeological evidence showing its occupation dating back to the sixth century. Its strategic location made it essential for monitoring trade routes and movement through the region.
The estate blends its wine production with its medieval past, creating a space where visitors can experience both grape cultivation and historic ruins. Local winemakers have long maintained their craft alongside the preservation of these ancient structures.
The site is accessible by foot on paths that wind through the ruins and surrounding vineyards, with conditions varying by season. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the ground can be uneven and the terrain crosses historic archaeological areas.
Archaeological excavations uncovered an ancient burial ground from the sixth and seventh centuries near the original chapel location on the property. This necropolis reveals that the site was considered sacred and inhabited centuries before the medieval castle was built.
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