The history of the castle
Immerse yourself in more than eight centuries of history at Château de Castelnaud, one of the most famous fortified castles in the Dordogne. From the Albigensian Crusades to the Wars of Religion, from its abandonment in the 19th century to its restoration and the opening of the War Museum in the Middle Ages, each era has left its mark on this medieval fortress perched above the Dordogne Valley.
Today, a visit to the castle offers an insight into the Middle Ages and explores the evolution of this must-see site in the Périgord Noir.
Having been built only a few years ago, Castelnaud Castle (or more accurately, the New Castle) belonged to the Vassal of the Count of Toulouse, Bernard de Casnac. In 1214, Simon de Montfort, leader of the “Albigensian Crusade” against the heretics of the Southwest, took the fortress. Although the castle was taken back by Bernard de Casnac, it was burnt down in 1215 by the Archbishop of Bordeaux.
©Simon de Montfort, Grand recueil La Clayette, fin XIII s, BNF, manuscrit, NAF,13521, fol. 337
Once the castle was rebuilt, it soon became one of the main strongholds of the Périgord. The keep and curtain wall were built during this period.
When the Hundred Years’ War began, the castle, through the marriage of its sole heiress, Magne de Castelnaud, to Nompar de Caumont, passed into the hands of the English-supporting Caumont family. During a century of conflict, the castle’s allegiance changed many times, each change depending on alliances or personal gain.
The king of France, Charles VII, ordered the recapture of the castle, at the time held by supporters of the king of England. Following a three-week siege, Castelnaud Castle was sold for 400 gold coins. It was definitively taken back by the French,when won the war eleven years later.
At the end of the Middle Ages, the Caumont family built the Chateau des Milandes. They desired a more pleasant and comfortable home in keeping with the architecture and design of the era. From then on, Castelnaud was only inhabited by a few soldiers and their captain in the new living quarters of the east and south castle wings.
Geoffroy de Vivans, a Huguenot captain, was born in the village at the foot of the castle. Known as “The Warrior”, he safeguarded the stronghold for the devout protestant Caumont family and spread fear throughout the Périgord. That terror, along with additional fortifications protecting the castle (the bastion and the artillery tower), meant no one dared take Castelnaud, despite the intensity of the conflict in the Périgord.
Sold as a national asset in 1789 after the owners fled, Castelnaud Castle became a stone quarry. The top of the artillery tower and the south-wing living quarters were taken down. Nature slowly took back the castle as it fell into oblivion.
The Rossillon family, originally from Beynac, bought the castle and began its restoration. The fortress was classified as a Historical Monument the following year in 1966.
The castle were now opened to the public. The east-wing living quarters and the keep are now home to the castle’s Medieval warfare museum.
Although the restoration itself is now complete, the site’s development endures. There are nearly three hundred pieces of arms and armour, as well as five life-sized siege engines on display. Close to 235,000 visitors come to admire them each year.
Kléber Rossillon, owner of the Château de Castelnaud, tells you about his family connection with the medieval fortress.
Report produced by the Dordogne Departmental Tourism Committee.