Butte de Montmélian, Ancient hilltop settlement remains in Mortefontaine and Saint-Witz, France.
The Butte de Montmélian is a hilltop with remains of an ancient settlement spread across two municipalities and two administrative regions. The climb passes remnants of foundations and tower ruins that reveal different periods of occupation.
A royal castle dating to 1060 marked the beginning of fortification at this site. Over the centuries a manor, a pilgrimage church, and various settlements took shape here before eventually being abandoned.
The ruins speak of the Vernon lords who held power here before the Abbey of Saint-Denis took control of the land. Today visitors can read in these stones the connection between worldly power and church authority.
The hilltop is easy to spot from the surroundings and offers wide views across the landscape from above. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and expect exposed stones and uneven ground when exploring the site.
Archaeological excavations uncovered sections of paved streets decorated with patterns of knights, lions, and royal lilies. These ornamental designs reveal the quality and wealth that once existed at this location.
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