Visit to Dordogne

Bergerac - Castelnaud - Marqueyssac - La Roque Gageac - Domme - Sarlat - Beynac - Belves - Monpazier - Biron

The visit to the castle of Castelnaud is compulsory for tourists. Although it is neither slender nor pretty, it has other features that make it very interesting. As a result of this, Castelnaud is the most visited castle in the Southwest of France.
First, its formidable location, dominating the valley of the river Dordogne and showing fantastic views that reach Beynac or Marqueyssac.

Second, it is a well-preserved castle. Where you can differentiate and learn the finality of each part. Besides it keeps the museum of the war during Middle Ages, including weapons, armors, scale models, videos and besiege machines really magnificent. Along the visit they explain how the sieges were during this period.
It exists the possibility of a guided visit, an historical visit or to attend diverse live medieval performances.

The castle dates from 12th century. At the beginning of 13th century they were several bloody sieges. After the Paris treaty in 1258, Louis IX of France gave it to Henry III of England . The English control lasts until 1273, when it belongs to the family Castelnaud, that have to pay tribute to the Count of Perigord, vassal of the French king. Till 1337 the relative calm and prosperity predominated. It was a period of argues and disputes between the lords of Castelnaud and the Barons of Beynac that finally didn't finish in a war. In 1337 all this problems were eclipsed when the One Hundred Years war exploded.

The start of this war was favourable for the English and in 1356 they owned the Aquitaine (concretely this region was commanded by the Black Prince) in exchange for the liberation of the French king John the Good. In 1368 Magne de Castelnaud, unique heiress of the family, married Nompar de Caumont, so the Caumonts became the new lords of the castle for centuries.

During the war these lords positioned on the English faction in several battles. In 1442 the French king ordered the siege of Castelnaud that lasted for 3 weeks. In 1452 the English abandoned the French ground.
After the war the French king gives the castle back to the Caumont family, that on next years reinforced the defensive facilities. At the end of 15th century the Caumont built a more comfortable residence, the nearby Renaissance castle of the Milandes, that would get to substitute Castelnaud as the preferred one.

On next centuries Castelnaud lost its strategic condition and the Caumont progressively abandoned the stronghold, and finally they left it. After the French Revolution the castle was too deteriorated.
In 1966 a French family bought the ruined castle. Little after it was declared Monument of Artistic and Historical interest, and it has been subject to two restoration campaigns.

I find it a great idea not only to show the castle, but also to go beyond and carry people to the medieval wars through instructive and organized explanations. You can imagine how they defended from the artillery tower or how they could attack the invaders down in the entrance gate from the imposing Donjon tower, and you have an idea of the methods employed to easily damage the atackers. On the other side you observe the cannons and catapults used to besiege fortresses. And many other things.

The village , settled on the slope of the hill dominated by the castle offers a pleasant walk among the stone houses.
Approximately it is necessary half day to the stay, specially if, like me, you like the medieval wars and sieges. From here you can reach in some minutes places such as Marqueyssac or La Roque Gageac.