Château de Retourtour, Medieval fortress ruins in Lamastre, France
The Château de Retourtour is a castle ruin that stands on a rocky outcrop within a river bend of the Doux, displaying original walls with three medieval windows. The remains are privately owned today, though the outer structures are visible from the surrounding paths.
The fortress was built in the 10th century by the Pagan-Retourtour family and controlled the route connecting the Rhône Valley with Le Puy-en-Velay. This strategic location made it an important point for managing trade traffic in the region.
The name comes from the Latin term Retortoris, describing the peninsula created by the river bend surrounding the castle. Visitors can still observe this geographical feature from the paths around the ruins today.
The ruins are privately owned and not accessible to visitors, though the outer structures can be seen from the surrounding paths. It is advisable to explore the area around the river bend to get the best views of the remains.
In the 17th century, local legend spoke of five noble dragons who came to save Lamastre inhabitants from a lord residing in the castle. This folklore demonstrates how the ruins lived on in the region's popular stories and cultural memory.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
