Castles of the Dordogne: Chateau de Castelnaud
In the heart of the Dordogne Valley, the Chateau de Castelnaud, built in the 12th century on a rocky outcrop, is one of the most visited castles in the South-West of France.
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| Chateau de Castelnaud |
Standing opposite to the Château de Beynac, its rival during the Hundred Years War, it has a troubled and eventful history, made up of successive battles for its possession and numerous reconstructions. It was first owned by the Cathar lord Bernard de Casnac, then it was taken by Simon de Montfort in 1214, during the crusade against the Albigenses.
The fortress was then taken and retaken seven times during the Hundred Years War, but the French won it definitively in 1442.
When the conflict was over, the castle was returned to the Caumonts, owners since 1368. They reinforced the defensive system: the low enclosure and the new barbican were equipped with gunboats and the artillery tower was built. The various works of fortifications, however, will only have a dissuasive role, since Castelnaud will no longer be attacked, even during the wars of religion.
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| Chateau de Castelnaud |
The owners also set out to improve the comfort of the château by building new homes. Despite everything, the building experienced a period of neglect, and was completely abandoned during the French Revolution leading it to near ruin, until the 20th century and the arrival of new owners.
Thanks to them, the castle was restored and included in the classification as a historic monument.
Since then, it has housed a museum of war in the Middle Ages, with a large collection of more than 250 ancient weapons and armors, from pocket crossbows to a machine capable of projecting real javelins, culverins and various guns, including the improbable ancestor of a machine gun, swords, halberds, chain mail and life-size siege weapons. Its enclosure hosts an exhibit of scale reconstructions of medieval artillery pieces: stone rock, mangonel, trebuchet and bombarde.
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| Chateau de Castelnaud |
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| Chateau de Castelnaud |
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| Chateau de Castelnaud |
The castle also offers one of the most spectacular view on the Dordogne Valley up to the beautiful Chateau de Beynac.
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| Dordogne Valley, view from Chateau de Castelnaud |
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