Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Chas' fortified gate, listed as a Historic Monument, is one of the few preserved elements of the enclosure that once protected the village. Built in the 14th century, it is distinguished by its broken arch and an adjacent tower, now unfurled. The access was provided by a bridge over a ditch, a likely vestige of moat once crossed by a drawbridge. A groove in the arc and the footers attests to the past presence of a herse, strengthening the defensive system.

Inside, the door is surmounted by a curved arch, while a small, curved door to the east leads to a staircase serving the tower. The latter, square on the pregnant side, has a semicircular outer face pierced with cannon guns (a long narrow opening and two round holes). A thick wall, partially preserved, connected the tower to the door. A circular belfry, added later to the east of the tower, houses a bell.

The building illustrates medieval fortification techniques, combining defensive elements (herss, cannons) and subsequent adaptations (belfry). Its listing in the Historical Monuments Inventory in 1979 highlights its heritage value. The gate now belongs to the municipality of Chas, in Puy-de-Dôme, and bears witness to local history linked to the protection of villages in the Middle Ages.

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