Château d'Esnes, Medieval castle in Esnes, France.
Château d'Esnes is a castle in Normandy featuring two round entrance towers with pointed roofs and thick defensive walls pierced by arrow slits. The western wing and a separate dovecote are partially accessible and show the different building phases of the structure.
The castle was founded in 1007 and underwent many transformations over the centuries. These changes reflect how the building adapted to the changing needs and tastes of those who inhabited it.
The castle displays building elements from different periods, including 15th-century facades and 18th-century reconstructions that show regional construction traditions. This blend of styles reveals how various inhabitants shaped the place over many centuries.
Access is limited to certain areas like the western wing and dovecote, so visitors should have realistic expectations about what they can see. It helps to move slowly and examine the walls and stonework closely, as many details are easy to miss.
A major tower dating to the 13th century contains three levels of vaulted rooms with decorated keystones and working fireplaces still in place. These surviving details show how people actually lived in medieval fortresses and what techniques craftspeople used back then.
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