Château de Castelnaud

Château de Castelnaud, rising above the village of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle in the Dordogne valley of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, is one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in France and a classified historic monument. The castle was first documented in the early 13th century, when it was seized by Simon de Montfort during the Albigensian Crusade. Its commanding position on a limestone promontory overlooking the confluence of the Dordogne and Céou rivers made it a key stronghold throughout the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453), during which it alternated between English and French control, undergoing repeated sieges and partial demolitions. The current structure dates primarily from the 13th to 15th centuries, with the keep, barbican, and main towers forming the core of the fortification. The castle houses the Musée de la Guerre au Moyen Âge — the Museum of Medieval Warfare — which presents one of the largest collections of original medieval arms and armour in France, alongside working reproductions of trebuchets, mangonels, and other siege engines positioned on the outer terraces. The permanent collection includes genuine crossbows, swords, pole-arms, cannon, and suits of armour displayed in the original vaulted chambers, with contextual panels explaining siege tactics, castle garrison life, and the conduct of the Hundred Years' War. Seasonal living-history demonstrations animate the siege machinery on the terraces. The castle also offers exceptional views over the Dordogne valley, the Périgord Noir countryside, and the rival fortress of Château de Beynac on the opposite bank. Lascaux IV, the Cité Médiévale de Sarlat, and the Jardins de Marqueyssac are all within a short drive.