Donjon de Bours, Bours, France

Château or Donjon de Bours was most likely built in the 12th century by Hugues de Bours. Originally it would have had a bailey defended by a crenellated wall guarding several outbuildings. Both the bailey and the castle would have been moated. At present all traces of the bailey are gone.

Bours Castle is a keep built out of sandstone and has a rectangular plan with six corbelled turrets. It has walls of 70 cm thick and 2 floors. It is generally assumed that during the mid-13th century the keep would have been higher.

During the first half of the 15th century the castle was owned by Maillotins de Bours who restored and enlarged the castle but probably did not change the keep.

In 1543 Bours Castle was burned down.

At the beginning of the 20th century there was talk of demolishing the keep but luckily that did not happen. During the second half of the 20th century the keep was restored several times and used as a town hall.

References:

castles.nl

User Reviews

Veronique meeunes (3 years ago)
Un très bel endroit à découvrir, un accueil agréable, une visite adaptée aux plus jeunes, des animations... Je recommande.

Marie Pruvost (3 years ago)
Nice visit with a friendly guide who explains well and a nice exchange. Interesting site steeped in history. A booklet given to children to fill in during the visit.

brigitte payen (3 years ago)
Joli Village très beau. Château ?

Vi P (3 years ago)
great visit after a wonderful hike very well marked around Bourse

Serge Jusczak (3 years ago)
Very good, the 15 km hiking circuit the keep is impeccable with a variant in the middle of the circuit.

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Kakesbeck Castle

Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.

The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.

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