Les secrets des forteresses imprenables du Moyen Âge

A symbol of power and warfare in the Middle Ages, the fortified castle dominated the landscapes of Europe for nearly five centuries. Initially simple wooden fortifications erected on earthen mounds, these structures gradually evolved into powerful stone fortresses capable of withstanding sieges and new weapons of war. Keeps, ramparts, moats, drawbridges, and watchtowers: each element served a specific military strategy. Through emblematic examples such as Falaise, Loches, Gisors, and Castelnau, this documentary explores the spectacular evolution of medieval military architecture. It also reveals daily life within these strongholds, veritable centers of political, economic, and judicial power. Thanks to archaeological research and experiments conducted at the medieval construction site of Guédelon, the film delves into the heart of the expertise of medieval builders: stone quarrying, mortar making, vault construction, and site organization. A fascinating immersion into the ingenuity of the engineers and craftsmen who shaped history's most impressive fortresses. Director: Benoit Poisson