Can you go inside the tower?

No, only ruins remain at the top of the mound and they are viewed from the outside.

How old is the Villars motte castrale?

The mound was raised as early as the 10th century, above an even older square tower.

How long does a visit take?

No duration is specified, but the site can be seen quickly, just enough time to climb the mound and look at the remains.

Is the site protected?

Yes, the feudal mound was listed as a historic monument by decree of 15 February 1905.

Did excavations uncover anything besides the tower?

Yes, archaeologists found a buried Romanesque church as well as an older square tower.

Poype de Villars-les-Dombes

Villars-les-Dombes

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Villars-les-Dombes

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

This week in the agenda

[CONFÉRENCE] L'EMPIRE ROMAINThu, Nov 5 · Château des Echelles27 km

Motte castrale de Villars stands in Villars-les-Dombes (Ain), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. The building is listed as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 12th century, 16th century). No visits are on record for this building.

At the center of Villars-les-Dombes stands an earthen mound raised as early as the 10th century, topped by the remains of a round tower built of red brick. This artificial mound, known locally as a poype, once supported the castle of the lords of Villars until its destruction in 1595. Excavations beneath the mound uncovered a buried Romanesque church and an earlier square tower, layering several centuries of construction on the same spot.

Written from Motte castrale de Villars

What to know

The site sits right in the center of the village of Villars-les-Dombes and is easy to reach on foot.
What remains today is limited to the ruins of a round tower at the top of the mound, viewed from outside.
Climbing the mound itself poses no particular difficulty, but there is no interior structure to visit.
The richest finds, a buried Romanesque church and an earlier square tower, were uncovered through archaeological digs and are not permanently open to the public.
With no opening hours or admission fees listed, this is a stop to combine with a walk through the village rather than a dedicated guided visit.

Where this château is

Villars-les-Dombes · Ain · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Map of the area around Motte castrale de Villars

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Villars-les-Dombes, Ain

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Listed historic monument (classé); Mérimée record PA00116595
Period of construction: 12th century, 16th century

In pictures

Frequently asked

Can you go inside the tower?: No, only ruins remain at the top of the mound and they are viewed from the outside.
How old is the Villars motte castrale?: The mound was raised as early as the 10th century, above an even older square tower.
How long does a visit take?: No duration is specified, but the site can be seen quickly, just enough time to climb the mound and look at the remains.
Is the site protected?: Yes, the feudal mound was listed as a historic monument by decree of 15 February 1905.
Did excavations uncover anything besides the tower?: Yes, archaeologists found a buried Romanesque church as well as an older square tower.