Château de Couffour, Medieval castle ruin in Chaudes-Aigues, France.
Château de Couffour is a medieval castle ruin featuring a circular tower containing three upper floors with small rooms connected by a spiral staircase in a western turret. The ground floor has a square layout with ribbed vaulting, creating a contrast with the round design above.
The fortress was built in the 12th century when Blavia brought the land as a dowry to Falcon de Reveilhac, a nobleman from Gévaudan. This union established the control of the castle and its strategic importance in the region.
The first floor displays wall paintings from the 17th century showing flowers, portraits of women, and landscape scenes within rectangular frames. These decorations reveal the artistic tastes of the Renaissance period.
The castle operates as a hotel-restaurant with two Michelin stars managed by Serge Vieira, a winner of the 2005 Bocuse d'Or. Visitors can explore the historic rooms while enjoying contemporary dining offerings available on site.
The ground floor has a square layout with ribbed vaulting, contrasting sharply with the circular design of the upper levels. This architectural contrast between the base and upper sections is uncommon in French medieval castles.
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