La Grande Histoire des châteaux forts

Steeped in mystery and grandeur, fortified castles bear witness to medieval civilization and encompass a complex reality. Traveling from castle to castle, from the far reaches of Spain to the mountains of Switzerland, from the moors of Scotland to the banks of the Dordogne, and thanks to 3D modeling, this film retraces a thousand years of medieval military construction. Construction methods and siege techniques underwent constant evolution, in a frantic race for optimal effectiveness against invaders. In the 11th century, the first castles that could be described as "forts" appeared, impregnable with their ramparts and corner towers. But this military building was also the residence of authority, of the lord. It became the symbol of a rapidly developing feudal system. From the 14th century onward, fortified castles lost their importance in the face of the effectiveness of artillery, which now breached all walls, and military architects adapted the shape of castles to counter new siege techniques. The 16th and 17th centuries marked the end of fortified castles. The art of war evolved alongside social structures. From then on, fortified cities and numerous armies were more effective in defending the kingdom. Castles gradually became the residences of lords, whose authority was eclipsed by that of the King. They were transformed into luxurious residences. The castle then no longer had anything "fort" about it. Director: Serge TIGNÈRES & Benoît POISSON