Château de Bourg-le-Château

The château de Bourg-le-Château is a fortified complex with three distinct defensive zones located in Bommiers, central France. A circular keep is enclosed by an oval wall, with two northern towers providing additional protection to the overall structure.

The fortress first appeared in written records in 1123 through a papal letter from Pope Calixte II, with another mention in 1163 from Pope Alexander III. These early documents confirm its importance as a significant regional stronghold during the 12th century.

The castle exemplifies how medieval communities in Berry expressed power and security through fortified stone structures with towers and walls. These defensive features shaped how people lived and organized their daily activities within the enclosed spaces.

The four-hectare estate is open for exploration, with a drawbridge providing access to the main courtyard that connects to the lower inner court of the fortress. Walking paths throughout the grounds are generally accessible but include uneven surfaces and stone terrain.

This fortress ranks among the largest defensive structures in the Berry region and impresses with its size and intricate fortification system. A quadrangular lower courtyard from the 13th century forms a distinctive example of early medieval military engineering when viewed alongside the circular keep.