When was the Châtelard motte built?

It dates from the eleventh century, when such earthwork and timber fortifications were commonly built throughout Europe.

Who lived in this fortress?

A lord of high status and his family occupied the residence located on the central platform, as confirmed by archaeological excavations.

What can be seen at the site today?

The circular ditch and horseshoe-shaped earthwork rampart remain visible, forming the original defensive structure.

Motte-and-bailey castle of the Châtelard

Chirens

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Where: Chirens

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Motte castrale du Châtelard stands in Chirens (Isère), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 11th century). Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

The Châtelard motte is an earthwork fortress built in the eleventh century, when such timber and earth structures were spreading across Europe. The site consists of a circular ditch twelve metres deep, a horseshoe-shaped rampart, and a central platform where a lord's residence once stood. Excavations carried out in the 1980s and artefacts recovered from the site demonstrate that this fortified place was inhabited by a family of high status.

What to know

The site has been registered as a historical monument since 2004 and is located in a wooded area.
No visitor facilities are documented; this is an archaeological site in natural surroundings.
The visible remains consist of earthwork structures and their general topography, with no reconstructed building.

Where this château is

Chirens · Isère · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Map of the area around Motte castrale du Châtelard

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

CGGM+FG, 38850 Chirens

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

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Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA38000022
Period of construction: 11th century

Frequently asked

When was the Châtelard motte built?: It dates from the eleventh century, when such earthwork and timber fortifications were commonly built throughout Europe.
Who lived in this fortress?: A lord of high status and his family occupied the residence located on the central platform, as confirmed by archaeological excavations.
What can be seen at the site today?: The circular ditch and horseshoe-shaped earthwork rampart remain visible, forming the original defensive structure.