This château or castle, which dates from the year 1220 is to be found about 15 km NE of the town of Lamballe in Brittany. Although partially ruined today, what remains is more than enough to show how magnificent this castle would have been in its time.
This view shows two of the five towers that define the perimeter of the castle. That in the foreground is La Tour Noire - the Dark Tower and is the second oldest part of the building which remains today, having been constructed in the 14C: it owes its name to the fact that there are very few windows in this tower and the narrow winding staircase has no natural light.
It is joined by a recently reconstructed walk-way (part of the original Chemin de Ronde - the round walkway) to La Tour de la Glacière - the Ice House Tower which was built in the 15C. The stone-lined deep basement of this tower was used to store ice gathered during the winter months, so that ice for food storage was available from the end of one winter to the beginning of the next.
The stone-floored space at ground level was the château kitchen, with separate bread and meat ovens.
How totally and completely fascinating, both your picture and the info you shared about this ancient structure. To stand there must give the feeling of having gone back in time.
Thanks for generous compliment on my toad-prince picture. It was an honor working with the handsome little guy.
Your POV is just super, shot from above, so we can see the structure and design of this ancient castle. It must have been so imposing, in its day! It is a beauty, even though the years have worn upon it. Your processing, as always, is so nicely done.
Thanks for generous compliment on my toad-prince picture. It was an honor working with the handsome little guy.