Château de Selves, 16th-century castle in Conques-en-Rouergue, France
Château de Selves is a 16th-century square-shaped castle with four corner towers and a 1625 chapel that form part of the complex. The estate also includes a barn-stable and a traditional chestnut dryer called a sécadou, used for drying fruit.
The castle was first documented in 1522 as a stronghold of the Selves family. It later passed to the Gausserand family, who also held power over neighboring lands.
The name Selves comes from the family who lived here for centuries and shaped its character. Visitors can see how rooms are furnished with local pieces and fabrics that reflect the way regional nobility lived in this area.
The castle sits near the village of Conques and is reached by country roads. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the grounds are uneven and some areas have steep staircases.
One of the corner towers holds an original spiral staircase that survives in remarkable condition. This staircase displays the stoneworking techniques used by masons during the Renaissance period.
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