Poype de Villars-les-Dombes, Medieval motte-and-bailey castle in Villars-les-Dombes, France.
Poype de Villars-les-Dombes is a fortified mound in the town center featuring a round tower of red brick on its summit. The structure is surrounded by concentric ditches that formed part of its medieval defense system.
This fortification originated in the 10th century as both a defensive structure and residence for local nobility. Partial destruction in 1595 marked a turning point that altered its physical form and purpose.
This place tells the story of how local lords once organized their settlements and defense systems around a central religious building. The remains visible today show the relationship between military fortifications and daily life in the Middle Ages.
The site is centrally located in town and easily accessible on foot from most areas. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the mound has uneven terrain and some paths can be difficult to navigate.
Beneath the red brick tower lie the foundations of a Romanesque church from the 11th century, discovered during excavations in 1988. This religious structure reveals how closely faith and defense were intertwined in medieval settlements.
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