Château de Crussol, Castle ruin in Saint-Péray, France.
Château de Crussol is a castle ruin perched on a hill some 200 meters above the Rhône valley floor. The site preserves the remains of a keep, defensive walls, and various structures that once served as living quarters and fortifications.
The stone castle was built in the 12th century to monitor trade routes along the Rhône River and remained in use until the 15th century. Before the stone structure, a Roman temple and wooden fort occupied the same strategic hilltop, showing how important this location was for many centuries.
The castle ruins display medieval defensive construction through their walls, keep, and fortifications built in stages. Walking through, you can see how the builders used the steep hillside itself as part of their defense against attackers.
The castle grounds are open year-round and feature footpaths that work for different fitness levels. Wear sturdy shoes for steeper sections, and plan your visit on clear days to fully enjoy the views across the Rhône valley below.
Visitors often spot layers of different building periods in the walls, where medieval stones rest above Roman foundations. These overlapping layers tell the story of nearly two thousand years of human occupation at this single location.
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