Château de Lacapelle-Marival, Medieval castle in Lacapelle-Marival, France
Château de Lacapelle-Marival is a medieval fortress centered on a square main tower with corner watchtowers rising through seven stories, topped with a patrol walkway. Inside, rooms display painted ceilings and decorative elements accumulated over several centuries of habitation.
Construction began in 1460 under Guisbert de Cardaillac-Lacapelle and was completed by his son Astorg, establishing the family seat for four centuries of residence. A royal siege in 1663 left physical marks when authorities attacked over a dispute concerning parliamentary compliance.
Inside, ornate ceiling paintings and prints celebrate French royal victories, while the rooms reflect how nobility lived across several centuries.
The fortress is open for guided visits on most days, with tours taking visitors through the interior rooms and tower levels. Check visiting hours in advance as schedules vary throughout the year.
The north-facing wall of the tower still bears bullet holes from musket fire during the 1663 siege, visible marks of conflict between the castle's lady and royal forces. These scarred walls serve as physical reminders of the violent dispute.
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