Donjon Pons - From Below

Our last medieval blog post featured the magnificent donjon in Pons in the Charente-Maritime. We were able to show you the views from the very top of the donjon looking out for miles across the French countryside.

Today we are going back down to the bottom of the donjon and looking up. This video clip gives an idea of the size and scale of the tower. Imagine what it took to construct this back in medieval times - in 1187 in fact.

This particular donjon is now classed as one of France's historical monuments and is regarded as the best example of its type in SW France. The tower is 30m in height and its walls are between 2.5m and 4.4m thick.

Read about the magnificent donjon in Bazoges-en-Pareds.

Read more about medieval donjons.

Medieval Donjon - Rooftop View

Medieval castles had common architectural features and the donjon is perhaps one of the most notable. Introduced into Britain by the Normans, the donjon became known in England as the castle keep.

Medieval history enthusiasts today can enjoy visiting many castle keeps whch have been lovingly restored and preserved. Some are just a shell and a shadow of their former medieval glory but others still have their staircases and interior rooms and floors intact. This type of donjon is always well worth a visit.

Pons is a small medieval town in SW France. It's a place most people have never heard of and yet it has a fabulous, preserved medieval donjon. Here is a video clip of the views from the very top of the donjon, sufficient to make you realise the degree of advantage such a high building brought to the town's people back in medieval times.