French Department :	74 - Haute Savoie
	listen this music's Brams to visit		French version
The castle :

    Duingt is a small city located at 12km in the South of Annecy and at 30km in the North-East of Albertville.

(Where is it ?)

     On the lake, near the road,  a curious "building" is in front of me. What is it ?

  Normally, it is a medieval castle on a island. This construction has 2 names :

• 1 - "Châteauvieux", (that mean Old Castle) because the lord had built a new castle a few years after.
• 2 - "Château Ruphy", name of the owner : Baron on 19th century.

    To discover this construction, i was obliged to walk in a small path and i was surprise to see a beautiful castle.  It seem to be small but around there are 3 curtains to protect the "house of lord". There are not height now, but imagine them 500 years ago.

    Have you seen the big rounded keep with the crenelation ?

          This castle is private. It is not possible to visit inside.

1. At the 11th century, a fortification seems built on an island.
2. About 1670, an old text attribute the castle with Marie-Jeanne Cambric, wife of the Duke of Savoy Charles-Emmanuel II.
3. In 1839, the Baron Cypion Ruphy buys the castle. Very many modifications are carried out, giving the current aspect.
4. In 1988, the site is registered in the Database of Historic buildings.
5. At the 20th century, by marriage the family of Count of Certeau becomes the new owner.
6. At the 21st century, it is impossible to visit the castle.

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French Department :	11 - Aude
	You must visit this castle with a beautiful concerto of Mozart		French version
The castle :

    Gruissan is a city located at 12km in the South-Est of Narbonne.

(Where is this town?)

  Description of the castle :

     At the 21st century, Gruissan is know by its beach near sea of Méditerannée, but 1 thousand years ago, it was a fortified place.

Outside

    When I leave the beach to visit the small village, I can see a big stone over the roof. It is not a mountain but the ghost of an old castle. On a map, its name is : "La Tour Barberousse"

    At the bottom, I imagine how it was difficult to be an invader on a Middle Age period. A few meters on right, there are some ruined walls. The castle does not hide its medieval origins.

    To discover this castle, i must walk up on a stone-stair, but there is a noticeboard to inform the risk.

It says : "Be careful of the wind or when it is raining".

Inside

     The 1st construction i see is the big rounded tower. It is beautiful !

   Yes, it is beautiful to see a broken tower because it is easy to understand the inside. The question is : "Is it a tower to be on the watch or to leave inside ?".

    The wall is very deep, it is normal for a tmedieval tower. I can see 2 levels and I imagine, there are 1 or 2 levels under.
 
   Have you seen the window with 2 benches ?... I imagine a beautiful woman reading and staying her lord.
 
   Under, there are a lot of rooms : Cistern, cellars. It is dangerous to go down but...... (it is my secret).
 
   And now, it is my pleasure time when 1 visit a ruined medieval castle. I seat down , I eat a fruit (with my mouth) and I "eat with my eyes" the beautiful panorama.

1. In 768, Pépin le Bref passed the bishop of Narbonne the management of marine affair and the exploitation of the salt works.(Salt is a very invaluable good at that time because freezer do not exist).
2. In 864, Charles II (see list of Kings) gave the Church of Narbonne half the tolls paid for the right of way on land and sea.
3. In 1084, a division announces the existence of the castle of Gruissan that disputes the Archbishop of Narbonne and 2 lords installed on the site. It is the first mention official of a castle on the territory of Gruissan of which we do not know almost anything on its architecture (It should be a simple square tower, surrounded by blind ramparts).
4. During the end of 11th and the beginning of the 12th century, many incursions of pirates obliges the peasants and working exploiting the salt works to be protected into the castle.
5. From 1209, beginning of the Albigensian Crusade. Curiously, Gruissan is not quoted in the combat or the donations.
6. In 1245, the old tower (disappeared today) was the property of the 2 owners.
7. In 1247, end of work of another tower with circular form. It had been directed by the archbishop Guillaume de Broa.
8. In 1289, the insecurity of the area obliges the Archbishop to require Royale protection. A garrison is sent by the King.
9. In 1296, Gilles Aycelin, archbishop of Narbonne, and the lord of Gruissan buy together the castle and lands of Béranger de Boutenac (vassal of the Viscount of Narbonne).
10. In 1311, a lord of the manor is named to direct the grounds and the castle.
11. In 1341, the lord of the manor names Pierre Gaubert.
12. In 1582, the wars of religion which started in 1562, devastate the country. The castle is taken successively by the troops of Montmorency (the Duke of Merry).
13. In 1585, royal soldiers are sent to occupy the castle and the village. The Chapter of Narbonne even thinks of too often destroying this fortress object of conflicts.
14. In 1597, at the end of war the soldiers leave the castle, and the lord of Gruissan takes again his very devastated field, and his very damaged "fortification". The transformation of the methods of wars make useless this medieval fortress.
15. About 1610, the Spanish attack and destroy the castle. It is the end of its live !
16. In 1690, it is used as stone quarry for the construction of the houses with its feet. It is quoted as a ruin.
17. In 1948, the site is classified in the Database of Historic Monuments.
18. During the end of the 20th century, it is consolidated and made available to the pedestrians.
19. At the 21st century, the visit is free. It will be dangerous ton go up when the weather is not beautiful (wind, rain etc...)

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French Department :	38 - Isère
	Please, visit this tower with the magic music of Mozart		French version
The Tower :

   The small village of Laval is located at 30km on North-Est of Grenoble and at 5km on the South of Brignoud. (Where is this tower ?).

   I imagine you think : "Why the French-Knight give us an article of a small tower not important ?".

    My response is : "This tower is perhaps the oldest medieval  construction in province of Dauphinée. you must know this incredible tower !"

  This construction has 3 names in all books :

       1 - Monfollet,

       2 - Montfalet,

       3 - Montfallet........... That is this name i prefer. 

      On the small parking at the bottom of Laval, i can see the tower on the hill. After 10 minutes of trekking, i am in front of the "marvelous" medieval construction. It is a square tower made with primitive ashlars. I imagine there is a wooden wall walk around.
 
       It is a good position to built a watchtower.
  On the South, it is possible to see the path thought the Alpine mountain ( A old iron mine is marked on my map).
  On the West, the tower see the big city Grenoble, where the "prince "of Dauphinée (the true name is Dauphin) has lived sometimes.
  On the east side, it possible to spy the old enemies : The Savoy men. And also  look at the river named "Isère" where some boats can be.
 
    Why is it an old tower ?
1- Because it is a square form.
2- And it has a small arrow-loop.
3- And no battlement or machicolation.

   One side has 3 holes. This on the bottom is not a medieval door. It was created to transform this tower to a cellar. It the moment to see inside

   This tower is not a residence. There are no comfort, no fireplace.

1. At the 11th century, a place is named: Assemble Folletis.
2. At the 12th century, a Montfalet family is quoted in a text. 
3. At the 21st century, the visit is free and free. The risk to receive a stone is weak, but do not forget, it is a ruined tower.

To contents of department 38