BILLY'S FORTRESS
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A magnificent emblem of the Middle Ages, it has been a fortress, a prison and a vegetable garden. Billy has been awarded the "Petites Cités de Caractère" label.
Built in the 12th century, the hexagonal castle sits atop the hill overlooking the village. It is preceded to the west, on the Allier side, by a bailey protected by an enclosure reinforced by six semicircular towers, of which only the southern part has been preserved. It housed servants' quarters and outbuildings. The third enclosure, formed by the city walls and flanked by ten towers, was not built until later. In addition to the two towers of the monumental gateway, the citadel includes five towers that served as living quarters, the tallest and largest of which formed the keep occupied by the châtelain and his family, whose basement houses a grain silo, to which an octagonal tower was added in the 14th century to serve as a lookout. A covered walkway links the second floors of each tower, offering a panoramic view of the Allier valley and the hills protecting the medieval village. As you walk around the village, you'll be able to make out these fortifications both in the grid of village streets and among the remnants of the buildings. Throughout the summer, the tourist office organizes a number of festivities, including theatrical tours of the fortress and village with Dame Clothilde, interactive and humorous shows in the courtyard, and confront Godefroy the valiant knight just back from Marignan. Children's workshops, escape game, children's treasure hunt, Pépit trail, concerts and film screenings, curiosity market...
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Members' reviews on BILLY'S FORTRESS
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belle vue sur le campagne
personnel de l'office du tourisme très sympathique ainsi que du magasin de bougies
la capitainerie est très belle mais ne se visite pas car privé
admirrer l'ancienne maison du régisseur