Chatelard castle

The Chatelard occupies the end of a spur with very steep slopes, probably protecting a ditch.
The defensive morphology of the site suggests that the occupation is ancient (11th century: fortification of land, or 13th century: stronghold of the Lay family).
Today, the complex consists of two courtyards: the barnyard where the barn and a pavilion are located, overlooking a terrace on the south side and the high courtyard bordered by a retaining wall flanked by several circular towers and the dwelling. The base of a portion of a straight wall and a tower, built mainly in tuff blocks, could belong to the thirteenth century. The massive circular dungeon (perhaps with older bases) and most of the surrounding walls would have to be brought back to the second half of the 15th century (keyhole shooting slots). But it is at the beginning of the seventeenth century that the castle owes its current appearance: a large building built on two levels, composed with symmetry on either side of the monumental door giving access to a vaulted passage leading to the high court. The upper floor, illuminated by high mullioned windows and double cross-braces whose support forms a string, bears a roof with two sides and rumps, pierced with dormers and covered with scale tiles.