SAINT-CHÉLY-D'APCHER DUNGEON

The keep of Saint-Chély is a former watchtower that allowed the Barons of Apcher to monitor the area surrounding the village and relay messages from one to another. It has only had its current form, very different from its original shape, since the beginning of the 19th century. Around 1820, the battlements were removed and four openings were made to house the bells. It has since served as the town's bell tower, although it is some distance from the church. It also served as a prison after having been used as an ammunition store. Later, the interior was renovated, the underground room was cleared, and the floor and wooden stairs were replaced. As a side note, the cross at the top of the tower was placed there by Oriola Funambules, a family of tightrope walkers from the south of France, in 1957. The keep can be climbed during guided tours of the town in July and August.