Construction of the moth XIe siècle (≈ 1150)
Period of construction and seigneurial occupation.
1980
Archaeological excavations
Archaeological excavations 1980 (≈ 1980)
Discovery of the wooden residence.
30 juin 2004
Registration Historic Monument
Registration Historic Monument 30 juin 2004 (≈ 2004)
Official site protection.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The castral motte du Châtelard is located at the place named "Châtelard et Errau", nature "bois tillis", in full (cad. A 606): inscription by order of 30 June 2004
Key figures
Seigneur local (non nommé) - Owner and resident
Held the wooden residence in the 11th.
Origin and history
The Châtelard castral mot, located in Chirens, Isère, is an emblematic example of the earth fortifications erected around the year Mil. These buildings, made of land and wood, mark a period of transition in medieval military architecture. The site consists of a deep ring ditch of a dozen metres, surrounding a horse-iron-shaped rampart that protects a circular platform, called a low-yard. These defensive elements illustrate the fortification techniques of the time, designed to resist attacks while sheltering a seigneurial residence.
Archaeological excavations conducted in the 1980s revealed wooden objects and structures, suggesting that the central building served as a residence for an important character, probably the local lord, and his family. This discovery confirms the hypothesis that the Châtelard was a place of power and aristocratic dwelling in the 11th century. The presence of a castral enclosure also indicates that the site played a strategic role in controlling the surrounding territory, reflecting the nascent feudal organization of the region.
The Châtelard castral motte was listed as a Historic Monument by order of 30 June 2004, thus recognizing its heritage value. Today, the site belongs to the municipality of Chirens and is in a variable conservation state, with a location estimated as "passable" according to the criteria of geographical accuracy. Although the practical information on visits is limited, its inscription bears witness to the historical importance of these remains in understanding the evolution of seigneurial structures in Rhône-Alpes (now Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes).
