Château de Gavaudun

Gavaudun, France

The Château de Gavaudun on the river Lède. It was built on a rocky spur and overhangs the river. The lofty 13th century keep rises 25m above the level of the rock. The castle was built during the 12th and the 13th centuries, on the main road between Périgord and Agenais. The bishop of Périgueux besieged it and destroyed it for the first time in 1165.

During the Hundred Years' War it was of central importance in the conflict between England and France. In the 15th century, the castle changed families through a marriage. It was recovered by the town of Gavaudun in 1796 in poor condition. Today, the donjon tower of the castle has been protected and listed since 1862.

References:

guide-du-lot-et-garonne.com

Address

Rue du Porche 18, Gavaudun, France

See all sites in Gavaudun

Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

More Information

www.guide-du-lot-et-garonne.com
en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Château de Cuzorn (5,2 km)

Moissac Abbey (52,9 km)
Château de Bonaguil (10,3 km)
Agen Cathedral (44,7 km)
Saint-Maurin Abbey (39,2 km)
Château de Sauveterre (10,9 km)
Château de Montluc (51,9 km)
Château de Castelnoubel (40,5 km)
Château de Lauquerie (37,2 km)
Château de Beauville (31,2 km)

User Reviews

Linda Morris (2 years ago)
It was a great find. Huge with much history! Well worth a visit.

Margaret Spillane (2 years ago)
So unusual but the steps are narrow and steep so not for the fainthearted or infirmed.

David Spencer (3 years ago)
Loved the place but you need to be a bit of a mountain goat to get round it veiws we're great from the top of the tower

Joe Smith (6 years ago)
Great place for the family, lots of restaurants in the village. Pity the Trebuchet demo was not on, check before visiting

Sven Goossens (6 years ago)
Verry nice and authentic castle/fort. The castle is almost as it was with only railings added for safety. You can go completely to the top where you have a nice view of the area. There is also a 'treasure hunt' for the children! It has many smal ans steep stairs so prepare for a workout.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Klearchos Kapoutsis

Historic Site of the week

Beckov Castle

The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.