Chateau Castelnaud

Facing downriver, from the southern bank of the Dordogne river, towards its arch rival in Beynac is the imposing fortress/chateau of Castelnaud.

Founded in the 12th century, the fortress was a formidable bastion that held out during many attacks, and during the 100 Years War was often in English hands.

By the 17th century the chateau was rarely inhabited, and by the French Revolution (1789) was totally abandoned. It fell further into disrepair and by the 19th century was even being used as a quarry to provide stone for local construction projects!

In 1966 it was finally listed as an official "historic site" and has since been lovingly restored and bought back to life by the Rossillon family. Today it houses a much visited museum of medieval warfare, featuring reconstructions of siege engines, mangonneaux, and trebuchets (the last being THE most feared war machine of its time).

Alli xxx