En un regard
Le château en bref
The Château de Solignac, also known as Château de Solignac-Bas, is located about 3 km south-west of Gilhoc-sur-Ormèze, in the Ardèche. The site comprises two distinct fortified complexes: to the east, the remains of a defensive building probably dating from the 12th century, with thick walls pierced by straight arrow slits and windows, which may have had as many as four storeys; to the west, a later fortified house with a rampart, putlog holes, a round tower and openings for a refuge hall. The Solignac family is recorded on the site as early as 1083, when an Aymon de Solignac is mentioned as a witness; several of its members then appear in documents from the 12th and 13th centuries (1152, 1187, 1215, 1291). Guillaume de Solignac is cited as owner in 1376. The castle is thought to have remained inhabited until the end of the 15th century. Now privately owned, the site is closed to the public but can be viewed free of charge from the road.