Donjon de Châteaumur

Donjon de Châteaumur is a dungeon built in the 12th century. An enclosure, either made of wood or stone, may have enclosed the keep in an almost circular area. What is certain is that, during this time, the keep was designed as an independent fortress, with a door located on the second floor and protected by a drawbridge that fit into the wall and the doorframe. The interior was divided into two by a partition wall for stability, and it had four levels: a basement and three floors with wooden floors. The ground floor stored provisions, the first floor housed the lord's residence (along with the drawbridge), featuring fireplaces and latrines, and the second floor likely had a guard room with access to the battlements. This top floor was accessible from the first floor via a spiral staircase embedded in the southeast buttress.

Perhaps in the 14th century, during the Hundred Years' War, an enclosure was added. Some parts of it are still visible because the houses around the keep's square are built against it, and there remains a fortified gate for carts. Another larger enclosure surely existed; one can see evidence, for example, just above the chapel's calvary. This could have been a wall or a palisade.

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

Rue du Vieux Château 8, Sèvremont, France

Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)