Brancion

On our way to Brancion we paused for a photo of the Chateau des Nobles.

Brancion is a medieval fortified town complete with a partially restored castle built around 960.

I managed all but the last dozen of the 186 steps, thanks to handrails.


On the outside of one tower is enough of an opening to shoot an arrow through while standing in relative safety.


Below is that same slit on the inside along with a knight's armor.

The castle was also a home, though I can't imagine that it was an easy life of comfort.

A fireplace might keep one from literally freezing, but it wouldn't make a drafty stone room cozy warm.

Because of archeological digs, they know another room was in part of this space which is why the tower has a flat side.

The curved wooden structure is adding support to the tower wall since the room that should be there is missing.

The only other more or less finished room.

Below is a photo of the drawing that sits by the fireplace.

I assume it is the Brancion castle since the flat sided tower is in the drawing. If so, it would be the castle in its most complete state, which certainly didn't happen in one year's time.

This view out the door with the wooden support structure just ahead shows the location of this room as compared to the rest of the castle.

Time to leave this level and climb upward.

At the top of the next set of steps there was a grassy area and a place to sit overlooking the town. The building near front left with the large square doorway is a covered market. The church is at the top of the hill which drops off quickly right after it.

Having Elisabeth in the picture gives an idea of how immense the standing walls are. The holes would have held beams to support upper floors which is why windows are up high in the walls.

The latrine is a two-some! The bars have been added to prevent a kid from falling through.

Sometimes the difference in stone color relates to a different time period of building.

 Going down is often harder than climbing up. I find that going down backwards makes it easier.

Again, I was grateful for the handrails.

Below is the entrance to this fortified town. People who live here have to drive through this arched opening.

The chateau has medieval clothing for those who want to dress up while exploring. We saw one family who did this.

 And there are cutout faces in a painted board for those who want a silly photograph.

 One the way home we passed the Chateau des Nobles from the other side.

And this field was being cut creating shades of yellow.