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 1^st and 2^nd 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 …