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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The tower-donjon of Clansayes is the only preserved vestige of a castle built on a rocky promontory, in the village of Clansayes (Drôme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, it illustrates medieval defensive architecture with its arched machicoulis, murderers and internal communication systems. Its square plan, reinforced by foothills, and its octagonal round path make it a rare example of military ingenuity of the time.

The first written mention of the castle and its dungeon dates back to 1233, when the seigneury of Clansayes belonged to Adhémar de Clansaye, within the framework of the Barony of Lombers. The dungeon remained in this family until the 15th century, before being integrated into the Barony of Grignan, which kept it until the French Revolution. Between 1686 and the 1770s, the dungeon served as a prison before being abandoned. Its conversion into a Marian chapel in the mid-19th century marked a turning point: a statue of the Virgin, carved by monks of the Abbey of Aiguebelle, was installed at its summit in 1859 during its consecration.

Ranked a historic monument in 2006, the tower is distinguished by its architectural peculiarities, such as its sound ducts connecting inside and outside, or its cross-fire openings for crossbows. The transformation into a chapel partially altered its structure, with the piercing of a new door and the neutralization of defensive devices. Today, it is owned by the municipality and bears witness to both the medieval military heritage and the local religious history.

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