Château Barrière

Château Barrière stands as castle ruins in Villamblard featuring a substantial stone tower with a parapet walk supported by stone corbels and carved Renaissance details. The keep with its entrance gate represents the best-preserved sections of this fortified structure.

The fortress first appeared in written records in 1312 and experienced construction phases spanning the 12th to 15th centuries under the Barrière family. These building campaigns reflected how military architecture evolved across the medieval period.

The chapel served local beliefs and changed purpose during the Protestant movement, showing how this fortress reflected the faith of those who lived there. Visitors can see traces of this transformation in the stone structure.

The ruins are accessible via Avenue Édouard Dupuy and allow visitors to walk through the remaining medieval structures on foot. Visiting is possible year-round, though sturdy footwear is advisable due to uneven ground and scattered stonework.

A natural spring once fed rock-carved moats surrounding the fortress, creating an advanced water-based defense system for medieval times. This engineering approach shows how builders skillfully used the landscape to enhance protection.