Château de la Bâtie, Medieval castle ruins in Vienne, France.
Château de la Bâtie is a castle ruin in the Rhône valley that sits on elevated ground overlooking the river below. Stone walls and tower sections remain visible, showing how the fortification was laid out to control the valley.
Construction started around 1225 under Archbishop Jean de Bernin, who built on a site that held earlier Roman fortifications. The building served as an archbishop's residence before becoming a prison, and Cardinal Richelieu ordered its destruction in 1633.
The fortress represents medieval military architecture in southeastern France, demonstrating the defensive priorities of religious authorities during the Middle Ages.
Visitors enter the ruins through three successive gateways, with the oldest one showing its original pointed-arch design from medieval times. The ground is uneven and overgrown, so sturdy shoes and careful footing are needed throughout the visit.
The site served as a prison before its demolition, and one of its three gateways still displays the original pointed-arch design from the medieval period. This combination of military use and later civilian function makes the ruins a layered historical landmark.
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