The Tower of ‘’Bonne Garde’’
Uncertain of the date but probably part of the fortresses of old, the Tower of ‘’Bonne Garde’’ contains a remarkable spiral staircase, totaling 6 helical flights and 136 steps. In the foundations of the building, it led to two narrow and deep cellars, the use of which remain a mystery. In “Bonne garde” of the Lord of the place the question must be asked, Were the stairs the starting point of a traditional underground gallery, where one could escape under the Castle to exit near the river Aygalade?
Before heading up to the current floors, the staircase, by a recent opening to the south, allows access to the fish pool level. A double flight of stairs leads to the courtyard on the ground level, then up to the 1st and 2nd Floor. Rising above the 20m height difference, the staircase heads up to the roof level, leading to the narrow walkway on the outskirts of the Dome.
The remarkable architecture of the hexagonal dome, built of matching stones and topped by a faceted decorative knob. A simple flight of stone steps lead to the top floor of the staircase, the guard’s platform, from where they surveyed the road from Montpellier to Alès …
Gargoyles and cannons
Large stone gargoyles spring from the crowns of each tower. Positioned on the exposed faces, they give the impression of large guns in defense of the Monument.
In fact, their implementation in the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries seem to be lacking a reason, it could have been part of a deterrent strategy or a reminder of a glorious warlike past. They certainly contribute to the overall decoration of the Castle with their motifs of carved ferns and their decorative placing.
The Donjon, equipped with a circular walkway, has 8 intimidating cannons defending the castle.
Aliasing and Brattice
The lord of the nineteenth century, Marquis de Montlaur, was motivated by elements of military architrave. The construction of an aliasing at the top of the north wing, and the installation of a brattice, significantly modified the appearance of the facade. Back in the days when the Chateau de Pondres was a stronghold …
