Château de Grangent, Medieval castle in Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert, France.
Château de Grangent sits on a rocky outcrop surrounded by the waters of Lake Grangent, featuring a round tower that rises 18 meters high. The structure shows typical medieval defensive design adapted to its island setting, with thick walls built into the natural stone.
The castle was built in the 11th century and belonged to the Jarez family, who controlled the surrounding territory. The family shaped this fortress over many centuries as a stronghold for their domain.
The chapel here was first recorded in 1092 and served as a prayer space for the Lords of Jarez over many generations. It shows how religious life and feudal power were deeply connected in this place.
The castle is privately owned and not freely accessible, but occasional guided visits are offered during special heritage events throughout the year. Check in advance with local tourism for available dates before planning a trip to this site.
The castle walls contain holes that once supported a movable platform system connecting different parts of the fortress. This allowed defenders to move between sections quickly without crossing exposed areas.
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