Castle of Pesteils, Medieval castle in Polminhac, France.
Castle of Pesteils is a medieval fortress in the Cère valley featuring a square stone keep as its core structure and a residential building constructed in front of it. The keep rises prominently above the landscape, while the attached living quarters represent later construction phases integrated into the original defensive design.
Jean de Foulhols built the defensive tower during the Hundred Years' War in the late 14th century. The Cassagnes de Beaufort de Miramon family acquired the castle in the early 17th century and has continuously inhabited it ever since.
The frescoes decorating the walls date from the 15th century and reflect the artistic taste of that era. The painted ceilings depicting scenes from Greek mythology and the restored ancient kitchen reveal how residents lived across different periods.
The castle can be explored on your own, with wax figures throughout the rooms depicting scenes from seven centuries of daily life. These displays help visitors understand how people lived and worked here during different periods.
Inside these walls, visitors can discover remarkably well-preserved rooms that are still inhabited by the same family that took ownership over 400 years ago. This unbroken continuity gives the place a living quality that goes beyond mere historical remains.
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