Tours de Carbonnières, Medieval fortified tower in Goulles, France
Tours de Carbonnières consists of two square granite towers standing roughly 20 meters apart in a narrow valley between the Bedaine and Maronne rivers. Each tower was built with distinct purposes in mind, making them part of a coordinated defense structure.
The site began as a fortress in the 11th century and underwent major reconstruction into two separate towers during the 13th and 15th centuries. This shift shows how defensive needs changed over time in the region.
The southern tower served as a defensive position, while the northern one functioned as living space from 1359 onward, reflecting two distinct roles within the complex.
The towers are open year-round without entrance fees, making them accessible whenever you plan to visit. Wear sturdy shoes and bring weather-appropriate clothing since the path through the valley can be muddy or uneven.
A small village once thrived beside the towers with around 15 houses, a chapel, and a hospital for people with leprosy until 1948. Only scattered ruins remain today, yet they hint at a community that occupied this remote valley for centuries.
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