Castle Bayard
★★★☆☆
Castle Bayard was originally built as a fortified manor house. It was founded by Pierre Terrail, a renowned knight of his time, at the beginning of the 15th century.
Even though it was only a strong house, the building was far from negligible; pictures of the 19th century show that the structure was protected by four round towers. The castle remained in the family for nearly two centuries until the line dried out and the castle, together with the title of Lord of Bayard had to be sold.
It then changed hands several times until the French Revolution when the assets were seized and sold as national property. Abandoned, the castle turned to ruins and the stones were even used as building materials. It was restored in 1890 and it remained a private property up to this day.
The castle has housed the Bayard museum since 1975; it presents the life and the myth of its first owner, Pierre Terrail also known as the knight without fear and without reproach.
Even though it was only a strong house, the building was far from negligible; pictures of the 19th century show that the structure was protected by four round towers. The castle remained in the family for nearly two centuries until the line dried out and the castle, together with the title of Lord of Bayard had to be sold.
It then changed hands several times until the French Revolution when the assets were seized and sold as national property. Abandoned, the castle turned to ruins and the stones were even used as building materials. It was restored in 1890 and it remained a private property up to this day.
The castle has housed the Bayard museum since 1975; it presents the life and the myth of its first owner, Pierre Terrail also known as the knight without fear and without reproach.