Donjon de la Toque, keep in Huriel, France
Donjon de la Toque is a large granite tower at the center of Huriel, rising about 33 meters with five floors above a vaulted cellar and walls up to 2.30 meters thick at the base. Narrow, tall windows with stone mullions and fireplaces mark the interior spaces, while thick gray stones still retain their form after centuries.
The first structure was built at the end of the 11th century by the Humbault family to replace an older wooden defense tower. Over centuries the building passed through several noble families and underwent major changes in the 15th century when Jean II de Brosse transformed it into a more comfortable residence by adding large windows and fireplaces.
The name La Toque comes from the tower's distinctive roof shape that crowned the structure until 1903, giving it a recognizable appearance in the local landscape. This naming reflects how the building became tied to the town's identity and memory over the centuries.
Plan time to climb the 106 steps to reach the top terrace, which offers a good view of the surrounding countryside and nearby fields. The site houses a museum with rotating art exhibitions accessible year-round, providing insight into medieval life and the region's wine traditions.
The tower underwent four distinct building phases over centuries, with each expansion reflecting changing defense needs and construction techniques. These successive layers are still visible in the structure today, revealing how medieval builders adapted the fortress to new threats and technologies.
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