Saint-Hippolyte : Castle

The castle was cited from the 12th century. In 1542, during the war against Spain, the village and its fortifications were partly destroyed. It is likely that the castle was also damaged on this occasion. In 1643, the village was burnt down. The current structure seems to be the result of its reconstruction after these events, based on medieval foundations. Initially, the building had a square plan, with a floor above a raised ground floor and a shame. Part of the castle, southeast, was largely destroyed. A cylindrical tower stands at the northeast corner. The set is built with alternating layers of pebbles and bricks. The corner chains as well as some former loopholes are made of cut marble stones. The main facade, oriented to the west, overlooks an interior courtyard. The entrance is in front of the facade, preceded by six concentric steps. It is an 18th century door, with a throat and a segmental arc decorated with a clip. On the first floor, the balcony of the central window, in wrought iron twisted, dates before the 17th century. Inside, the entrance room is covered with a vault with warheads. On the first floor, there is a plaster fireplace dating from the end of the 17th century.