Montréal, Medieval commune in Yonne, France.
Montréal is a small commune on a hilltop in Yonne that overlooks the Serein River in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. The village is marked by fortified structures whose remains from the 13th and 14th centuries are still visible today.
The Anséric family ruled Montréal for several centuries until the 11th century, after which the settlement became a fortified stronghold. The fortifications were built later in the Middle Ages and continue to define the village's physical form today.
The Notre-Dame Collegiate Church shapes the village with its Romanesque architecture built from local stone in the 12th century. Visitors can observe the craftsmanship in the carved details on the facades and inside, reflecting the skills of medieval artisans.
The village is easy to explore on foot since it sits on a hillside with narrow lanes that lead to the main sights. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the terrain is gently sloped and some paths have steeper sections.
During the French Revolution, the village was briefly renamed Mont-Serein, a change that lasted from October 1793 until July 1814. This temporary name reflected the political restructuring that affected many French localities during that period.
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