Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Parfondeval

Parfondal, a village with a population of around 150, is one of the "Plus Beaux Villages de France". It is indeed pretty - and has the best documented fortified churches I visited in the Picardie. Saint-Médard, erected almost entirely of bricks, was built in the 16th century, and got enlarged in 1760. It was once surrounded by a wall and a ditch. It was only accessable through the gate seen here. The church (incl. the tower and the rooms for the refugees) can be visited and there are even informative videos, explaining how people lived up there over longer periods. The "Chambre Caronet" is largest room. Note the hole/oculus in the floor, that was used for hauling up supplies - and the bell ringer as above this room are the church bells.

Parfondal, a village with a population of around 150, is one of the "Plus Beaux Villages de France". It is indeed pretty - and has the best documented fortified churches I visited in the Picardie. Saint-Médard, erected almost entirely of bricks, was built in the 16th century, and got enlarged in 1760. It was once surrounded by a wall and a ditch. It was only accessable through the gate seen here. The church (incl. the tower and the rooms for the refugees) can be visited and there are even informative videos, explaining how people lived up there over longer periods. A very narrow and low passage, that could easily blocked by the defenders, leads to the stair, that runs up to the shelter rooms in the towers.

Parfondal, a village with a population of around 150, is one of the "Plus Beaux Villages de France". It is indeed pretty - and has the best documented fortified churches I visited in the Picardie. Saint-Médard, erected almost entirely of bricks, was built in the 16th century, and got enlarged in 1760. It was once surrounded by a wall and a ditch. It was only accessable through the gate seen here. The church (incl. the tower and the rooms for the refugees) can be visited and there are even informative videos, explaining how people lived up there over longer periods. The room behind the strong gate, under the fortified towers is like a large narthex opening to the nave. The lower aisles were added, when the church got enlarged in 1760.

Parfondal, a village with a population of around 150, is one of the "Plus Beaux Villages de France". It is indeed pretty - and has the best documented fortified churches I visited in the Picardie. Saint-Médard, erected almost entirely of bricks, was built in the 16th century, and got enlarged in 1760. It was once surrounded by a wall and a ditch. It was only accessable through the gate seen here. The church (incl. the tower and the rooms for the refugees) can be visited and there are even informative videos, explaining how people lived up there over longer periods.