ユールの洞窟・トップ5

Magnificent viewpoint

Crest Castle is the ruin of a hilltop castle above the southern French commune of Crest in the Drôme department. Its preserved keep, at 52 meters high, is probably the highest in France and has been listed as a historical monument since June 1877. Crest Castle was built in several phases from the 10th century to the second half of the 14th century. It was owned by the French crown from 1419 onwards. Louis XIII had it demolished in 1633, with the exception of the keep, which still stands today. The tower then served as a prison until the mid-19th century. In 1988, the commune of Crest acquired it from the French state. The tower has a floor area of 20 by 32 meters and a height of 52 meters. Portcullises, defensive bay windows, and loopholes bear witness to its past as a medieval fortification. The tower has 15 rooms, which were used as living quarters in the Middle Ages and as prison cells after 1633. Numerous graffiti date from this period, including those by Protestants imprisoned there. Source: Wikipedia A tour of the tower is open to the public. The current cost is €10 per adult. The bravest can abseil down the tower's east wall from a height of 42 meters, but this wasn't possible during our visit, presumably due to a lack of tourists.

The ruins of Savel are the remains of an ancient medieval castle. The walls of Château de Savel housed many noble families documented since 1163. At the end of the 13th century, in 1288, the fortress passed into the possession of the Counts of Valentinois. The construction of a stone wall approximately 1.40 m thick, extending more than 100 m from east to west and enclosing the former high courtyard between the various former towers and the residence, was also completed under the Counts of Valentinois in the 14th century. After the death of Louis II of Poitiers in 1419, the last count of that name, the fortress of Gigors passed into royal possession. The fortress included a castle chapel dedicated to Saint Marcel, which was described as a ruin in 1644. The site contains significant remains of artificial landscaping. The rock was excavated to isolate the tower of a keep to the south, and a lower courtyard was created to the north. Indeed, the château offered a sweeping view of the valleys of the Drôme and its tributaries, the Sye and Gervanne, leading to the Vercors. The importance of this strategic point seems to explain the determination with which the demolition crews used explosives, presumably at the end of the Wars of Religion, to destroy the château and the manor house located west of the fortress.

The discovery trail allows everyone to discover nature marked by history. Duration: 1h30. It offers a remarkable view of the Valence plain, but also the possibility of discovering the ruins of the castle, in particular the keep. It offers several stages which allow us to understand the Alpine uplift, the fauna and flora or the rock of central Pangea. This rock takes the hiker back some 240 million years when all the continents were one. Today it still symbolizes the center of the original world.

The tower of Crest is a true masterpiece. Consisting of three interlocking towers, this tower was part of an old fortress and then became a prison. This architectural gem bears witness to a long history and medieval prison life. From the top of the tower, you have breathtaking views of the Drôme valley and the Ardèche mountains. The visit is worth the detour, with the entertainment throughout the year that takes you on a journey through time.

Magnificent view of the Drôme from the top of the tower. The visit is essential because it is very well documented. You can also appreciate the famous engraving of d'Artagnan's face!

Something different... a French fortification in the form of a voluminous tower... wonderful to explore on your own up to the roof... wonderful panoramic view up here!