Donjon de Maurepas, Medieval castle ruins in Maurepas, France.
The Donjon of Maurepas is a surviving stone keep from a medieval fortress, standing roughly 20 meters tall on a low mound in the village. A farm building now stands against its remaining structure at Rue de l'Église, creating an unusual mix of old and newer settlement.
The fortress evolved from wooden structures to stone construction in the 12th century, serving the Lords of Chevreuse as defense against Norman raiders. Its military role ended after English forces attacked and dismantled it in the 15th century.
The keep remains a reference point in village life, standing near the church where locals have gathered for generations. Today it serves as a visible link to the feudal past that shaped this region and its people.
The ruins can be viewed from outside since they stand within the village and remain freely accessible to visitors. Plan your visit during warmer months when it is easier to walk around the site and see its structure clearly.
English forces attacked the keep in 1432, leaving it damaged and ending its role as a defensive stronghold. This single moment froze the site in time, making it a rare window into how a fortress looked after being abandoned.
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