Activities

Free for children under 10
Château de Castelnaud
Don’t forget to ask for the game booklet!

New in 2022

Château de Castelnaud - Couillard - Guerre au Moyen-Age

24 March 2022 - Inauguration of the Couillard-firing

More than thirty-five years after the castle opened its doors to the public, a new war machine has arrived at Castelnaud. It is the 5th of its kind at the castle, and to celebrate its arrival, there will be firing demonstrations.
This day will also be the perfect opportunity to enjoy two new videos added to the museum’s permanent collection. Discover the amazing adventure of Castelnaud’s restoration and dive into a Castle’s siege to learn more about how it worked.
Challenging misconceptions

Challenging misconceptions

This new guided tour will challenge many of the cliches we believe to be true about the Middle Ages.

Winter holidays

A herbalist's secrets

Themed visit: "From the garden to the kitchen"

Preparing a meal is not so easy when you have to please the refined palettes of Lords all while respecting medieval religious requirements. From the garden to the castle’s kitchen, learn about medicinal and culinary plants.

Spring and summer holidays

Château de Castelnaud - Sapeur

Face to face with a "pioneer-soldier" of the hundred years war

Here is a man who can bring down the highest walls of the castle. Which methods does he use? What equipment does he need? Our living history lesson now offers an encounter with a true pioneer of engineering. Come and discover one of the most important techniques in siege warfare.
© Bib. Ste. Geneviève, MS.777, fol.394r

Automn holidays

September activities 2022

Château de Castelnaud - Tir au trébuchet

Guided tour and trebuchet firing demonstration (1h)

Attack! Guided tour in french on the theme of attacking a fortified castle that end with a trebuchet firing demonstration (one-third scale model).

From Thursday 1 september to Friday 21 October (except 17 and 18 September)

At 11:15, 14:30 and 16:00

Château de Castelnaud - Couillard - Guerre au Moyen-Age

Heritage Days - Visit "Artisans bâtisseurs" followed by a trebuchet firing (45 min)

Discover the secrets to building castles and siege engines. Led by a guide in period costume, This French guided tour will end with a trebuchet firing demonstration on 1/3 scale model.

Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September
At 11:00, 12:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00

Château de Castelnaud - Tir au trébuchet

Heritage Days - Meeting with Nicolas Savy (1h)

For the release of his new book Les cavaliers de l’apocalypse : La guérilla anglaise en Languedoc, Auvergne et Limousin (1369-1393) Nicolas Savy, a historian specialising in the Hundred Years War , invites you to explore the great era of the infamous mercenaries.

Saturday 17 September
In French, at 14:30

PROGRAMME

Winter holidays

Challenging misconceptions
Challenging misconceptions NEW

From Thursday 10 February to Sunday 6 March
At 11:30 and 16:00
🕚 45 min

This new guided tour will challenge many of the cliches we believe to be true about the Middle Ages. Only in French

 

Claude de Cardaillac - visite théâtralisée
Elegance lessons by Claude de Cardaillac NEW
From Thursday 10 February to Sunday 6 March
At 14:30
🕚 30 min
Follow Claude de Cardillac, a 15th century lady from Castelnaud, highly preoccupied with renewing her wardrobe ! An opportunity to learn more about Medieval fashion, despite the religious morals of the era. Guided tour in French held inside, led by a guide in costume interpretating a historical figure.

 

Château de Castelnaud - Playmobil exhibition
Playmobil exhibit
Until Sunday 6 March

The legendary Playmobil® have arrived at the Medieval Fortress ! Almost one thousand pieces are necessary to recreate the miniature battle and everyday life scenes : a castle attack, a tournament, a banquet, hunting, the market, cooking and crafts…

24 March 2022 - Inauguration of the Couillard-firing

Château de Castelnaud - Couillard - Guerre au Moyen-Age
Inauguration of the Couillard-firing
Free admission all day
More than thirty-five years after the castle opened its doors to the public, a new war machine has arrived at Castelnaud. It is the 5th of its kind at the castle, and to celebrate its arrival, there will be firing demonstrations. This day will also be the perfect opportunity to enjoy two new videos added to the museum’s permanent collection. Discover the amazing adventure of Castelnaud’s restoration and dive into a Castle’s siege to learn more about how it worked.

Beginning of April

Château de Castelnaud - Tir au trébuchet
Guided tour and and trebuchet firing demonstration
From Friday 1 to Friday 8 April
At 11:00 and 15:30
🕚 1h

Attack! Guided tour on the theme of attacking a fortified castle that end with a trebuchet demonstration (one-third scale model).

Spring holidays

Château de Castelnaud - Visite costume Moyen-âge
Themed visit
From Monday 11 April to Saturday 7 May
At 11:45, 14:00, 15:30 and 17:00
🕚 30 min
Held outdoors in french, led by a guide in Medieval costume. An opportunity to step into the history of Castelnaud and to explore everyday life towards the end of the Middle Ages.

 

Château de Castelnaud - Forgeron
Blacksmith demonstration

From Sunday 10 April to Friday 6 May (except Saturdays)
From 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 18:30

A blacksmith works in the forge before the visitors’ eyes and reveals the secrets of metal and fire.

 

Château de Castelnaud - Arquebusier
Face to face with an arquebusier of the Wars of Religion
From Sunday 10 April to Sunday 8 May
(except Fridays and Saturdays)
At 11:30, 12:30, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15 and 17:15
🕚 20 min
A costumed character presents the offensive and defensive equipment of an arquebusier.

 

Château de Castelnaud - Tir au trébuchet
Guided tour and trebuchet firing demonstration

From Saturday 9 April to Sunday 8 May
At 11:00, 12:15, 14:30 and 16:00
🕚 1h

Attack! Guided tour in french on the theme of attacking a fortified castle that end with a trebuchet demonstration (one-third scale model).

May - June

Château de Castelnaud - Tir au trébuchet
Guided tour and trebuchet firing demonstration
Every weekend until 3 July From Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 May From Saturday 4 to Monday 6 June At 11:00, 12:15, 14:30 and 16:00

In week from Monday 9 May to Friday 1 July At 11:00, 14:30 and 16:00

🕚 1h

Attack! Guided tour in french on the theme of attacking a fortified castle that end with a trebuchet demonstration (one-third scale model).

 

Château de Castelnaud - Visite thématique
Themed visit

From Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 May,
and from Saturday 4 to Monday 6 June
At 11:45, 14:00, 15:00 and 17:00
🕚 30 min

Held outdoors in french, led by a guide in Medieval costume. An opportunity to step into the history of Castelnaud and to explore everyday life towards the end of the Middle Ages.

Summer holidays

Château de Castelnaud - Visite thématique
Themed visit
From Monday 4 July to Wednesday 31 August
🕚 20 to 30 mins
Held outdoors in french, led by a guide in Medieval costume. An opportunity to step into the history of Castelnaud and to explore everyday life towards the end of the Middle Ages.
    Topics addressed:
  • Artisans builders of fortresses and siege engines (30 mins)
    Everyday, at 11:15, 12:00, 12:45, 14:30, 15:15, 16:00, 16:45, 17:30
  • From the garden to the kitchen (30 mins)
    From Monday to Friday, at 10:30
  • Hygiene and cleanliness in the time of the lords (20 mins)
    Every Fridays and Saturdays, at 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00

 

Château de Castelnaud - Spectacle médiéval
Medieval play

From Friday 8 July to Friday 26 August (except Saturdays)
At 11:30, 12:30, 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00
🕚 30 mins

A medieval-inspired farce performed in french by two actors who draw the public into their eccentricities!

 

Château de Castelnaud - Forgeron
Blacksmith demonstration

From Monday 11 July to Thursday 25 August (except Fridays and Saturdays)
From 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 18:30

A blacksmith works in the forge before the visitors’ eyes and reveals the secrets of metal and fire.

 

Château de Castelnaud - Tir au trébuchet
Trebuchet firing demonstration
From Monday 4 July to Wednesday 31 August (except Sundays) From 10:00 to 13:30 and from 17:00 to 18:30
The most powerful of siege engine in action… In order to not damage the castle, the one used here is on a scale of 1:3!

 

Château de Castelnaud - Visites guidées
Guided tour
From Monday 4 July to Wednesday 31 August
In French, at 10:00, 10:45, 11:30, 13:00, 14:00, 14:45, 15:30, 16:15, 17:00, 17:45
In English, at 12:15
🕚 30 min
Attack! Guided tour on the theme of attacking a fortified castle.

September - October

Château de Castelnaud - Tir au trébuchet
Guided tour and trebuchet firing demonstration
From Thursday 1 september to Friday 21 October
(except 17 and 18 September)
At 11:15, 14:30 and 16:00
🕚 1h
Attack! Guided tour in french on the theme of attacking a fortified castle that end with a trebuchet firing demonstration (one-third scale model).

Heritage Days - 17 & 18 september

Château de Castelnaud - Visite thématique
Themed visit

Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 september
At 11:00, 12:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00
🕚 30 min

Held outdoors, led by a guide in Medieval costume. An opportunity to step into the history of Castelnaud and to explore everyday life towards the end of the Middle Ages.

Autumn holidays

Château de Castelnaud - Sapeur
Face to face with an ingenious soldier from 1442NEW
From Monday 24 October to Sunday 6 November
(except Fridays and Saturdays)
At 11:30, 12:30, 14:15, 15:15 and 16:15
🕚 20 mins
Here is a man who can bring down the highest walls of the castle. Which methods does he use? What equipment does he need? Our living history lesson now offers an encounter with a true "pioneer of engineering". Come and discover one of the most important techniques in siege warfare.

 

Château de Castelnaud - Visite thématique
Themed visit
From Monday 24 october to Saturday 5 november
At 11:45, 14:00 and 15:30
🕚 30 mins
Held outdoors in French, led by a guide in Medieval costume. An opportunity to step into the history of Castelnaud and to explore everyday life towards the end of the Middle Ages.

 

Château de Castelnaud - Forgeron
Blacksmith demonstration

From Sunday 23 October to Friday 4 november
(except Saturday 30 October)
From 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:30

A blacksmith works in the forge before the visitors’ eyes and reveals the secrets of metal and fire.

 

Château de Castelnaud - Visite guidée et tir au trébuchet
Guided tour and trebuchet firing demonstration

From Saturday 22 october to Sunday 6 november
At 11:00, 12:15, 14:30 and 16:00

From Monday 7 to Thursday 10 november
 At 11:00, 14:30 and 16:00

🕚 1h

Attack! Guided tour in french on the theme of attacking a fortified castle that end with a trebuchet firing demonstration (one-third scale model).

11 novembre - Long weekend

Elegance lessons by Claude de Cardaillac
Elegance lessons by Claude de Cardaillac
From Friday 11 to Sunday 13 november
At 11:30, 14:30 and 16:00
🕚 30 mins

Follow Claude de Cardillac, a 15th century lady from Castelnaud, highly preoccupied with renewing her wardrobe ! An opportunity to learn more about Medieval fashion, despite the religious morals of the era.

Guided tour in French held inside, led by a guide in costume interpretating a historical figure.

Christmas holidays

Château de Castelnaud - Playmobil exhibition
Playmobil® exhibit

From Saturday 17 December 2022 to Sunday 1 January 2023

The legendary Playmobil® have arrived at the Medieval Fortress ! Almost one thousand pieces are necessary to recreate the miniature battle and everyday life scenes : a castle attack, a tournament, a banquet, hunting, the market, cooking and crafts…

2022 program to download