Château de La Clayette, Medieval castle in La Clayette, France
Château de La Clayette is a medieval fortress surrounded by a water-filled moat that wraps around its L-shaped layout. A square corner tower dominates the south wing, while turrets punctuate the structure's defensive line.
Philibert de Lespinasse built the first fortress in 1380 during the Hundred Years' War, converting a fortified residence into a defensive stronghold. The structure evolved over the following centuries, with additions like an eighteenth-century gate that reinforced its architectural layers.
The chapel inside still shows its original wall decorations, giving visitors a sense of how faith was part of daily life in the castle. People who lived and worked here would have gathered in this small sacred space for their prayers.
Guided tours offer the best way to explore the interior rooms and learn their specific stories and purposes. Allow time to walk around the exterior and observe how the moat and towers work together to defend the castle.
The medieval kitchen retains its original fifteenth-century equipment and setup, offering a rare glimpse into how daily cooking actually happened inside the walls. Few castles preserve such complete domestic workspaces from that era.
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