Estavayer-le-Lac, Switzerland

Having left Murten I'm cycling 15 miles to Estavayer-le-Lac, another walled-in medieval town overlooking a lake. Passing through the village of St. Aubin I come upon this roundabout. The brown sign on the bottom reads "Chateau de St-Aubin". (Don't forget you can click on the image and it'll enlarge). Small towns and villages are always trying to get tourists and people passing through to linger. Me, I love visiting castles and in French the word "chateau" means manor or country house but, it can also mean castle. 

Finding the castle involves cycling up a steep hill and midway I stop to fill my water bottle. These fountains usually have the date they were installed and this fountain is stamped "1754". I'm in the canton of Fribourg. In the USA we have states and in Switzerland they have cantons. Fribourg is the most catholic of all the cantons with 65% of the population being catholic. So, it's no surprise to find a religious figure overlooking the fountain. 

Kind of disappointed to find the chateau (built in 1631) more of a manor house than a fortified castle.  It's now used as the town hall.

How is it that I've come across the same chief all over Europe--I'm beginning to think he's been cloned.

 Here's one of the entrances to Estavayer-le-Lac, population 6,000.

 The town's castle stands on the edge of town.

 Entering the castle grounds involves passing over a moat and through this opening.

 This is the interior grounds of the castle. It now houses the local police.

 Another view of castle grounds.

 Another watch tower connected to castle.

 Medieval walls still encompass the town.

 This square guard tower is the famous Treason Tower. Back in the 1400's the guards in this tower eyed an approaching invading army in the distance. The guards hastily abandoned their post by climbing down ropes. The ropes were left dangling and enabled the invading army to enter the town.

 Another medieval tower.