Château de Montgilbert, Medieval castle ruins in Ferrières-sur-Sichon, France.
Château de Montgilbert is a castle ruin perched on a rocky hillside overlooking the Vareille brook valley in Ferrières-sur-Sichon. Two concentric defensive walls form its structure, with round towers positioned at each corner of the inner fortification.
The castle was built around 1250 under King Louis IX by the Saint-Gérand family as a medieval stronghold of that era. In the 15th century it was modified to mount artillery, adapting it to evolving warfare technology.
The fortress reflects how noble families used such strongholds as fortified homes to display authority over surrounding lands. The layout of rooms and defenses shows how everyday life and military strategy were woven together for those who lived here.
The ruins are accessible year-round starting from a small parking area at the hillside base. A steep uphill walk leads from there to the site, so good footwear and some physical effort are needed to reach the fortress.
Since 1974, volunteer teams have regularly worked to stabilize and maintain the remaining structures here. This ongoing community effort has kept the fortress from complete deterioration over the decades.
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