Château de Francs, Medieval castle in Bègles, France
Château de Francs is a castle in Bègles with two main rectangular sections arranged at right angles and a clipped corner tower on the northeast side. The southern wall displays reinforcing buttresses that form part of its defensive design.
The fortress was built around 1156 on a feudal mound and was originally called La Mothe de Becgles, protected by palisades and moats. Over centuries the structure evolved as the needs of its occupants changed.
The name reflects the family that shaped this territory, and the structure remains a landmark that locals identify with their village heritage. It represents how a noble estate once anchored community life in this region.
The castle is privately owned and can only be visited by prior arrangement. Visitors should contact in advance to schedule a tour at a time that works for the current residents.
The southern wall contains two buttresses dating to the 12th century that reveal how medieval builders reinforced their structures. These ancient supports remain visible today and show the engineering methods of that era.
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