Le Châtelard Tower

This square tower (7.60m on each side) and enclosure wall (1.80m) are the vestiges of an old defence system dating from the 12th century, whose foundations probably hark back to Roman times. Built on a steep promontory at the meeting point of several valleys: Beaufortain, Italy via the Col du Petit Saint Bernard and Isère, it protected all of the thoroughfares. Like all mediaeval defence structures, the entrance was up a ladder and via a door situated on the first floor, which facilitated entrenchment in the event of a threat. Arrow slit windows can still be seen and the arrangement of the stones is altogether remarkable.