Château d'Aurouze, Medieval castle ruins in Molompize, France.
Château d'Aurouze is a hilltop fortress in Molompize built over several periods of construction. Its visible walls feature pointed arch windows, a central tower, and rounded corner turrets characteristic of medieval castle design.
The fortress was founded in 1309 under King Philip IV as a royal stronghold. It fell into the hands of bandits during the 14th century before returning to private ownership and eventually passing to the Aurouze family.
The Aurouze family name shaped this place for generations and remains deeply connected to the region's past. Local residents still refer to the area by the family's name, keeping their memory alive in everyday speech.
The ruins are visible from the surrounding landscape and can be viewed from various viewpoints around the area. Walking paths near the site offer good views of the entire fortress structure and how it sits on the hillside.
Inside the central keep is a hexagonal room with an intricate vault system where three layered arches radiate outward from a central protruding keystone in six branches. This geometric construction reveals skilled medieval stonemasonry rarely seen in other regional fortresses.
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