Château de Garde-Épée, Heritage castle in Saint-Brice, France.
Château de Garde-Épée is a castle in Saint-Brice built as a quadrilateral structure with a main entrance gate topped by a crenellated curtain wall. The property operates today as a wine estate and remains privately owned, so interior visits are not available to the public.
Merchant Jacques Ancelin purchased the estate in 1553 from the Marquis de Caravaz and received permission to build a fortified residence. This transaction and authorization marked the beginning of what would become the fortified structure visitors see today.
The entrance portal displays carved stone details from the mid-16th century, with molded doors framed by flat pilasters that show the craftsmanship of the period. These architectural elements remain visible from the courtyard and reflect the building traditions of that era.
The castle can be viewed from outside since it remains privately owned with no interior access available. The courtyard and outer structures can be observed from public roads without stepping onto private property.
A round dovecote on the grounds holds around 2600 nesting boxes and features three dormers on its pepper-pot roof. This outbuilding dates to the original construction period and demonstrates the thorough planning of the entire estate in the 16th century.
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