Suffused with mystery and grandeur, castles testify to medieval civilization and enfold a complex reality.
Travelling from castle to castle, from the borders of Spain to the mountains of Switzerland, from the moorland of Scotland to the banks of the Dordogne, and thanks to 3D modeling, this film traces a thousand years of medieval military construction.

With the constant evolution of construction methods and siege techniques, a frantic race began to achieve optimal efficiency against invaders.
The 11th century saw the emergence of the first castles that could be called "forts", impregnable with their ramparts and corner towers. But this military building was also the dwelling place of power, of the lord. It became the symbol of feudalism in full development.
From the 14th century, castles lost their importance due to the effectiveness of the artillery, which could now break down walls, and military architects adapted the shape of the castles to counter new siege techniques.
The 16th and 17th centuries saw the end of castles. The art of war had evolved along with the social structure. From then on, fortified cities and numerous armies proved more effective in defending the kingdom. Castles gradually become the residence of a lord whose authority had been eradicated in favour of the King’s. Transformed into luxurious residences, the castle of today is focused more on attracting visitors than repelling them.