Castles in Aveyron
Encyclopedia
There are numerous castles in the Aveyron
département of France
. Many are little more than ruins and some are barely discernible, while others have been converted into modern homes. Castles or their remains may be found at the following locations, among others:
Belcastel
Bourines
BousquetCalmont d'Olt
Colombier
Coupiac
Estaing
Ginals
Inférieur
Loupiac
Marinesque
Mas Rougier
Masse Méjanel
Montarnal
Montjaux
Mostuéjouls
Montaigut
Najac
Pagax
Peyrelade
la Pèze
Recoules
Roquelaure
Saint-Izaire
Salvagnac-Cajarc
Sénergues
Sévérac
Tholet
Toulonjac
Vallon
Versols
Vezins
Aveyron
Aveyron is a département in southern France named after the Aveyron River.- History :Aveyron is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790....
département of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Many are little more than ruins and some are barely discernible, while others have been converted into modern homes. Castles or their remains may be found at the following locations, among others:
- BelcastelBelcastel, AveyronBelcastel is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.The village is medieval in character, with cobbled streets and lauze-roofed houses. The bulk of the village and the castle are situated on the steep North bank of the Aveyron river...
The oldest part of the Château de BelcastelChâteau de BelcastelThe Château de Belcastel is a medieval castle in the village and commune of Belcastel, on the north bank of the Aveyron River, downstream from Rodez in the Aveyron département of France. The oldest part of the Chateau was constructed in the 9th century, and it grew at the hands of the Belcastel...
dates back to the 9th century. (44°23′20"N 2°20′10"E)
- BertholèneBertholèneBertholène is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
The Château des Bourines was built in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. It has been listed as monument historiqueMonument historiqueA monument historique is a National Heritage Site of France. It also refers to a state procedure in France by which national heritage protection is extended to a building or a specific part of a building, a collection of buildings, or gardens, bridges, and other structures, because of their...
since 1963. (44°25′8"N 2°48′34"E)
- CoupiacCoupiacCoupiac is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:...
15th century Château de CoupiacChâteau de CoupiacThe Château de Coupiac is a castle in the French commune of Coupiac in the département of Aveyron.Dating from the 15th century, the castle is formed by two T-shaped wings, built directly on the bare rock, flanked by three powerful round towers. These remaining towers show architectural differences,...
. (43°57′15"N 2°34′53"E)
- EspalionEspalionEspalion is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Main sights:*Château de Calmont d'Olt*The Pont-Vieux is part of the World Heritage Sites of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France....
The Château de Calmont d'OltChâteau de Calmont d'OltThe Château de Calmont d'Olt is a castle situated in France, in the Aveyron département in the commune of Espalion. Perched atop a basalt dyke at an altitude of 535 m, it overlooks from 100 m the town of Espalion and the valley of the Lot...
overlooks the town. (44°31′4"N 2°45′10"E). The Château de Masse, also in Espalion, is another castle which is a protected monument historique. (44°32′22"N 2°47′10"E)
- EstaingEstaing, AveyronEstaing is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.Located in the north of the Aveyron department in the Midi-Pyrénées region, Estaing is considered as one of the most picturesque villages in France. The village is very quiet during the winter months; it is in the summer that the...
The Château d' Estaing was built in the 15th century, with alterations in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was vandalised during the French RevolutionFrench RevolutionThe French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
and confiscated as a national asset. In 1863, it became a convent. In 1930 a new chapel was built near the 15th century chapel. After the Second World War, the castle was converted into a religious retreat. The castle cinsists of buildings of different heights arranged around a terrace. (44°33′14"N 2°40′22"E)
- FayetFayet, AveyronFayet is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
Château de FayetChâteau de FayetThe Château de Fayet is a castle in the commune of Fayet in the Aveyron département of France.- History :The first lords of Brusque and Fayet were the viscounts of Albi in the 11th century, the viscounts of Béziers and Carcassone in the 12th century, the counts of Toulouse in the 13th century, and,...
(43°48′12"N 2°56′28"E)
- FlagnacFlagnacFlagnac is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:...
The ruins of the Château de Pagax date from the 15th century and have been a protected monument historique since 1978. (44°35′4"N 2°16′17"E)
- GabriacGabriac, AveyronGabriac is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:...
The Château de Tholet was originally built in the 16th century and altered in the 19th century. Preserved are the keepKeepA keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...
, a tower and the surrounding enceinteEnceinteEnceinte , is a French term used technically in fortification for the inner ring of fortifications surrounding a town or a concentric castle....
. It is privately owned and has been protected as a monument historique since 1946. (44°27′4"N 2°46′42"E)
- GissacGissacGissac is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.The Château de Montaigut is a medieval castle that is open to visitors.-Population:...
With origins going back to the 10th century, the Château de MontaigutChâteau de MontaigutThe Château de Montaigut is a castle in the French commune of Gissac in the département of Aveyron.The first traces of the Château de Montaigut date from the 10th century. Built on a rocky outcrop dominating the valley of the Dourdou de Camarès river, it defended the town of Saint-Affrique against...
ruins have been restored. (43°53′9"N 2°52′48"E)
- Lacroix-BarrezLacroix-BarrezLacroix-Barrez is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
Château de Vallon is a ruined hilltop castle from the 14th century, protected as a mounment historique since 1925. (44°44′17"N 2°38′1"E)
- LapanouseLapanouseLapanouse is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:...
The Château de Loupiac has been protected as a monument historique since 1928. (44°20′36"N 3°1′6"E)
- LassoutsLassoutsLassouts is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:...
The Château de Roquelaure is a 12th century noted for its chapel and interior decor. The property of the commune, it has been protected as a monument historique since 1981. (44°29′34"N 2°49′22"E)
- Marnhagues-et-LatourMarnhagues-et-LatourMarnhagues-et-Latour is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Geography:The Sorgues flows west-northwest through the commune; the Latour hamlet lies on its right bank. The Marnhagues hamlet lies in the valley of the Matas brook, a tributary of the Sorgues...
Château de Latour (43°52′21"N 3°1′49"E)
- MontjauxMontjauxMontjaux is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
The Château de Montjaux dates from the 15th century. (44°6′7"N 2°53′56"E)
- MontpeyrouxMontpeyroux, AveyronMontpeyroux is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France. Residents of the commune are referred to as Montpeirosiens....
The Château du Bousquet is a 14th century castle. Of note are the façades, roofs, tower, kitchen and the dining room with wood panelling. On the first floor, the great hall has a painted wooden chimney. The chapel door and painted ceiling are also notweorthy. Privately owned, it has been protected as a monument historique since 1928. (44°39′24"N 2°48′28"E)
- MostuéjoulsMostuéjoulsMostuéjouls is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
The Château de Mostuéjouls (built in the 13th century, with additions and alterations in the 15th, 17th and 18th) is particularly noted for its wall paintings dating from the early 16th century. (44°12′14"N 3°11′1"E)
- MouretMouret, AveyronMouret is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:...
Château de la Servayrie (44°31′5"N 2°30′48"E) and Château Mage
- NajacNajacNajac is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.Najac is a picturesque village set along a ridge above a bend in the Aveyron River. In the earlier part of the last century the village had around 2000 people but it suffered marked population decline as workers migrated to towns and...
The Château de NajacChâteau de NajacChâteau de Najac or the royal fortress of Najac is located in Najac, in the Aveyron département, in southern France.The castle was built in 1253 by the villagers on the orders of Alphonse de Poitiers, brother of Saint Louis, on the site of an older castle built in 1100 by Bertrand of St Gilles,...
was built in 1253 on the site of an older castle. (44°13′6"N 1°58′24"E)
- NaussacNaussac, AveyronNaussac is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:...
The Château de Marinesque dates from the 14th century and is a protected monument historique. (44°29′53"N 2°5′42"E)
- Peyrusse-le-RocPeyrusse-le-RocPeyrusse-le-Roc is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.The Château Inférieur is a ruined castle which was taken by the English in 1163 and occupied by Simon de Montfort.-Population:-References:*...
The Château InférieurChâteau InférieurThe Château Inférieur is a ruined castle in the commune of Peyrusse-le-Roc in the Aveyron département of France.Peyrusse-le-Roc was known during Roman times for the richness of its silver, lead and antimony mines. The fortress here was besieged in 761. It was taken by the English in 1163 and later...
is a 12th/13th century castle with a history going back much further. It was already in ruins by 1668 and, today, all that remains are two towers. (44°29′54"N 2°8′20"E)
- Pomayrols (44°28′17"N 3°1′28"E)
- PruinesPruinesPruines is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.The Château de Pruines is a castle dating back to the 15th century, much modified over the centuries.-Population:...
The Château de PruinesChâteau de PruinesThe Château de Pruines is a castle in the French commune of Pruines in the Aveyron département.The castle dates from the 15th century. Built in local red sandstone it consists of several parts: a main building, a tower and a stable. In the 16th century, interior work was undertaken to make the...
, dating back to the 15th century, has been much modified over the centuries. (44°31′46.5"N 2°30′12.5"E)
- Recoules-PrévinquièresRecoules-PrévinquièresRecoules-Prévinquières is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
There are two castles here. The Château de Recoules has a history going back to the 13th century. In 1853, it was bought the le baron de Gaujal who gave the castle its present appearance. The edifice is composed of four buildings with towers around a small courtyard. Inside, several rooms are interesting for their decor including painted canvas, inlaid parquet flooring and painted walls. It has been protected as a monument historique since 2001. (44°20′23"N 2°58′7"E). The Château du Méjanel dates from the 15th and 16th centuries and is also a monument historique, noted for its façades and roofs as well as monumental chimney in the great hall on the first floor. (44°19′11"N 2°58′12"E)
- Rivière-sur-TarnRivière-sur-TarnRivière-sur-Tarn is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.The Château de Peyrelade is a ruined castle, open to visitors.-Population:-References:*...
The Château de PeyreladeChâteau de PeyreladeThe Château de Peyrelade is a ruined castle in the commune of Rivière-sur-Tarn in the Aveyron département of France.The name is derived from the occitan "Pèira Lada", meaning wide rock; an accurate description of the site...
was strategically one of the most important castles in the RouergueRouergueRouergue is a former province of France, bounded on the north by Auvergne, on the south and southwest by Languedoc, on the east by Gévaudan and on the west by Quercy...
and the site of many battles between its construction in the 12th century and its destruction in 1633. (44°11′43"N 3°8′52"E)
- Saint-AffriqueSaint-AffriqueSaint-Affrique is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-History:Saint-Affrique grew in the 6th century around the tomb of St. Africain, bishop of Comminges. In the 12th century a fortress was built on the neighboring rock of Caylus. The possession of Saint-Affrique was vigorously...
The Château de Mas Rougier is a privately owned 14th century castle, with a tower, turret, the elevation and roof protected as a mounment historique since 1979. (44°0′2"N 2°56′41"E)
- Saint-Côme-d'OltSaint-Côme-d'OltSaint-Côme-d'Olt is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
See Château de Saint-Côme-d'OltChâteau de Saint-Côme-d'OltThe Château de Saint-Côme-d'Olt is a medieval castle in the commune of Saint-Côme-d'Olt in the Aveyron département of France. It was the residence of the lords of Calmont and Castenau and is now the town hall....
(44°30′55"N 2°48′53"E)
- Saint-IzaireSaint-IzaireSaint-Izaire is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.The Château de Saint-Izaire is a 14th century episcopal castle.-Population:-References:*...
The Château de Saint-IzaireChâteau de Saint-IzaireThe Château de Saint-Izaire is a 14th century episcopal castle in the commune of Saint-Izaire in the Aveyron département of France. Since 1991 it has been classified as a historical monument...
is a 14th century episcopal castle. (43°58′31"N 2°43′10"E)
- Saint-Rome-de-CernonSaint-Rome-de-CernonSaint-Rome-de-Cernon is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
The Château de Mélac is located in the hamlet of Mélac in the commune Saint-Rome-de-Cernon. In the Middle Ages, the castle was linked to the Gozon family. The castle's construction dates back to the 14th century, with modifications up to the 16th century. The castle is privately owned and open to the public. It has been listed as a monument historique since 1992. (44°0′56"N 3°0′26"E)
- Salles-la-SourceSalles-la-SourceSalles-la-Source is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.The Rodez-Marcillac Airport is located in Salles-la-Source.-References:*...
The Château du Colombier dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. The buildings are arranged around a small interior paved courtyard. The castle is representative of the seigneurial and domestic architecture of the RouergueRouergueRouergue is a former province of France, bounded on the north by Auvergne, on the south and southwest by Languedoc, on the east by Gévaudan and on the west by Quercy...
between the 14th and 19th centuries. The simple square 14th century keepKeepA keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...
is used as a pigeon loft. The north wing was altered in the 19th century. The Château du Colombier is privately owned and has been protected as a monument historique since 1995. (44°29′16"N 2°31′47"E)
- Salvagnac-CajarcSalvagnac-CajarcSalvagnac-Cajarc is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
The castle, built in the 13th and 15th centuries, is an example of medieaval fortification. It has been a protected monument historique since 1991. Especially noteworthy are the roofs, the round tower and its staircase and the inner courtyard and its walls. On the second floor, a vaulted room contains 17th century painting. (44°28′31"N 1°50′50"E)
- SavignacSavignac, AveyronSavignac is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:...
The Château de la Pèze was acquired by the Pomairols family in the 16th century. The poet Charles de Pomairols lived there (1835-1916). The buildings were modified in the 18th and 19th centuries. (44°22′17"N 1°58′27"E)
- SénerguesSénerguesSénergues is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
Ther are two castles in the commune. The Château de Montarnal was a fortified site in the 11th century, evidenced by the circular south tower. New fortifications were undertaken around the middle of the 14th century (seigneurial hall). In the Middle AgesMiddle AgesThe Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, the castle was used as an entrepôtEntrepôtAn entrepôt is a trading post where merchandise can be imported and exported without paying import duties, often at a profit. This profit is possible because of trade conditions, for example, the reluctance of ships to travel the entire length of a long trading route, and selling to the entrepôt...
for the transport of wood, wine and salt - a cave was used as a warehouse. The site was a stop on the pilgrimPilgrimA pilgrim is a traveler who is on a journey to a holy place. Typically, this is a physical journeying to some place of special significance to the adherent of a particular religious belief system...
route to Saint-Jacques de CompostelleSantiago de CompostelaSantiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
. The architectural and military layout is unique in the Rouergue. The castle today still has the keep, enceinte, courtyard and the cave. (44°38′45"N 2°26′45"E). The Château de Sénergues dates from the 11th and 12th centuries. (44°36′20"N 2°29′9"E)
- Sévérac-le-ChâteauSévérac-le-ChâteauSévérac-le-Château is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.The Château de Sévérac is a 13th-century castle that dominates the town. It is open to the public.-Population:-References:*...
The Château de SévéracChâteau de SévéracThe Château de Sévérac is a 13th and 18th centuries castle in the commune of Sévérac-le-Château in the Aveyron département of France.The castle site has belonged to several families: the Sévéracs, Armagnacs, and Arpajons...
is a 13th century castle open to the public. (44°19′23"N 3°4′7"E)
- ToulonjacToulonjacToulonjac is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:...
The origins of the Château de Toulonjac go back to the 15th century. It was heavily modified in the 17th and 19th centuries. The kitchen contains a 15th century chimney. The eastern part was added in the 19th century. Wallpaper dated from the 1840s is decorated with the theme of Don Quixote. The Château de Toulonjac is privately owned and has been protected as a monument historique since 1993. (44°22′57"N 1°59′59"E)
- Versols-et-LapeyreVersols-et-LapeyreVersols-et-Lapeyre is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Geography:The hamlets of Versols and Lapeyre lie on the right bank of the Sorgues, which flows northwest through the middle of the commune.-Population:-References:*...
The Château de Versols was built in the 14th century, with additions and alterations in the 16th and 17th. It is particularly noted for its façades and roofs and remains of murals. Privately owned, the castle has been a proyected monument historique since 1988. (43°53′35"N 2°55′59"E)
- Vézins-de-LévézouVézins-de-LévézouVézins-de-Lévézou is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.The Château de Vezins is a historical castle. The first fortress was built in 1120 by Vesian de Vezins to command the Lévezou district. Following a disastrous fire in 1642, the only remains of this original castle are the...
The Château de VezinsChâteau de VezinsThe Château de Vézins is a much-altered castle situated in the commune of Vézins-de-Lévézou between Millau and Rodez in the Aveyron département of France. It has been in the possession of the Vézins family for 900 years....
built 1120 and much altered. (44°16′47"N 2°57′11"E)
- VilleneuveVilleneuve, AveyronVilleneuve is a commune in the Aveyron département in southern France.-Population:...
The 14th century Château de Ginals was modified in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is noted for its keep and spiral staircase. Internally, the ground floor dining room contains a large stone chimney. On the first floor, the grand salon and two interconnecting smaller salons are decorated with plasterwork. Saint Emilie de RodatEmilie de RodatEmilie de Rodat was the founder of a French female order and a mystic. Pope Pius XII beatified her June 9, 1940 and canonized her April 23, 1950. Her feast day is September 19. Her foundation, created in the year 1815 focused on young women and girls with difficulties, prisoners of war and...
spent her childhood here and is supposed to have had a revelation here of her religious vocation. The Château de Ginals is privately owned and has been protected as a monument historique since 1980. (44°24′48"N 2°0′23"E)
Sources
- Green Guide: Languedoc, Roussillon, Tarn Gorges (1998) Michelin ISBN 2-06-136602-3
- French Ministry of Culture at www.culture.gouv.fr
External links
- The French Ministry of Culture website has database entries, many with photos, on the following castles in Aveyron:
Belcastel
Bourines
BousquetCalmont d'Olt
Colombier
Coupiac
Estaing
Ginals
Inférieur
Loupiac
Marinesque
Mas Rougier
Masse Méjanel
Montarnal
Montjaux
Mostuéjouls
Montaigut
Najac
Pagax
Peyrelade
la Pèze
Recoules
Roquelaure
Saint-Izaire
Salvagnac-Cajarc
Sénergues
Sévérac
Tholet
Toulonjac
Vallon
Versols
Vezins