Château de la Garde, Medieval castle ruins in Albaret-Sainte-Marie, France.
Château de la Garde is a medieval castle ruin perched on a granite rock formation rising above the Truyère river. The structure features a substantial shield wall built from shaped stones and commands views over the surrounding valley from its elevated location.
The fortress was built in the late 14th century as part of the Barony of Apcher, one of the most powerful authorities in the Gévaudan region. Its strategic position and defensive architecture made it a significant military stronghold for the local ruling families.
The departmental archives of Lozère preserve color slides from 1918 to 1950, documenting the architectural evolution of this medieval structure.
The site is accessible by a path starting near the war memorial beside the village square. The route goes uphill, so sturdy footwear and some physical effort are needed to reach the ruins.
The absence of a front moat is striking, since such defensive features were typically standard on every fortress of this era and region. This unusual architectural choice raises questions about the defensive strategy and building traditions of the time.
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