Castle of Pierrefonds, Gothic castle in Pierrefonds, France.
The Castle of Pierrefonds is a Gothic fortress in the town of Pierrefonds, northern France. Eight cylindrical towers with pointed roofs surround an inner courtyard decorated with sculptures of mythical creatures and historical figures.
Louis of Orléans commissioned the fortress in 1393 to secure the northern approaches to Paris. After heavy damage in the 17th century, the castle remained a ruin until the mid-19th century.
The name comes from Anselm de Pierrefonds, a local lord in the 11th century whose family built the first structure on this site. The current building shapes the village skyline and draws visitors interested in medieval architecture.
The visit follows guided routes through the halls and inner courtyard, with the main entrance ramp providing access for most visitors. The towers and upper galleries require climbing stairs.
Eugène Viollet-le-Duc directed the restoration starting in 1857 and added imaginative elements reflecting his vision of medieval architecture. The halls and towers today show his interpretation of the Middle Ages rather than the original 14th-century state.
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