Billy - Life in the Middle Ages

The small town is surrounded by a castle complex from the 12th century, which was purchased and expanded by the Bourbons.

We participated in a costume tour, during which a fictional employee of the castle shared its history with us.

It was an important defensive structure, as it stood on the historical border between Bourbonnais and Auvergne.

Until the year 1576, it withstood every attack, but was then captured by the Protestant Prince de Condé during the Wars of Religion.

Today, a large hole in one of the outer walls is a testament to that.

Later, the castle lost its strategic importance, served as a prison, and even as a residence after the French Revolution.

Its former appearance can only be guessed today, but two towers, including the living tower of the castellan, are still well preserved.

We also saw the old cellar, which maintained a constant temperature of 12°C. This was only accessible through a hole in the floor, through which children were lowered in a bucket to collect the necessary food supplies.

The food (and later the children) were pulled back up with a rope.

After an entertaining tour, we made our way back to Vichy.