Château de la Tour-Daniel

English translation

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History

The castle, which commanded the passage of the Loire and the road to Le Puy, belonged to a network of defence existing since the early Middle Ages. No document mentions the Tour Daniel before the 14th century. Originally, the castle consisted of a keep surrounded by an enclosure. The present building presents three periods of construction: the rectangular keep of the 14th century; the L-shaped main dwelling of the 16th century with significant decoration; the classical gallery of the 17th century flanked by two corner turrets. The entrance façade, set between two former towers, presents, above the flamboyant door of the staircase turret, four storeys pierced by an opening with prismatic mouldings. At each level, the stonework is ornamented with balls and diamond points arranged in alternation. This type of exceptional decoration recalls the treatment of certain Spanish Renaissance façades. Inside, the fireplaces of the guards' hall and the state bedroom have their mantels carved with scenes from the life of Christ. The woodwork and ironwork of doors with carved panels of the Renaissance are still preserved, giving access to the kitchen, to the oratory, to the state bedroom.