Château de Castelnaud

Over het museum

Château de Castelnaud was built at the beginning of the 13th century by Bernard de Casnac, a vassal of the Count of Toulouse. In 1214, Simon de Montfort, leader of the crusade against the Albigensians, seized the fortress. It was retaken the following year, then burned, and rebuilt from 1259 as a powerful stronghold of the Périgord.

During the Hundred Years’ War, the castle passed to the Caumont family, supporters of the English, and changed sides several times. In 1442, Charles VII besieged it and took it after three weeks. During the Wars of Religion, the Protestant captain Geoffroy de Vivans defended it for the Caumonts, and no one managed to conquer it.

Sold as national property in 1789, the castle served as a quarry, then was abandoned in 1832 and overrun by vegetation. In 1965, the Rossillon family bought it and began its restoration; it was listed as a historic monument in 1966.

The museum of medieval warfare opened in 1985, initially in the east wing and the keep. Today it displays more than 300 pieces of arms and armour, as well as siege engines reconstructed in the courtyards and outdoors.

Hoogtepunten

• Museum of medieval warfare with more than 300 European weapons and suits of armour
• Life-size siege engines: trebuchet, bombard, mangonel
• Model of the 1442 siege and painted decor of the Nine Worthies
• Early 16th-century artillery tower and wall walk
• Medieval garden and view over the Dordogne valley

Vaste collectie

• Musée de la guerre au Moyen Âge – More than 300 European weapons and suits of armour are displayed in the castle’s rooms, with models, videos and an interactive trail.
• Machines de siège – Life-size reconstructed siege engines such as the trebuchet, bombard and mangonel are displayed outdoors and demonstrated.

Opgericht

1985

Beheerder

Kléber Rossillon

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

2026 prices. Payment by cash, bank card, cheque and Chèques-Vacances; online booking is optional, except for night shows. The PASS Périgord allows visits to several sites in the Dordogne.

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift: geen informatie
• Aangepast toilet: geen informatie
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The interior of the castle is not accessible by wheelchair because of its many staircases, but the outdoor areas can be visited and a wheelchair is available on site. A 30-minute virtual reality tour is offered free of charge to visitors with reduced mobility. There is a guide in Braille, a trail in Braille and a guide in easy-to-read French; the videos are subtitled, and a magnetic induction loop is installed at reception. Reserved parking spaces are located near the town hall and in the upper car park. The site holds the Tourisme & Handicap label for hearing and intellectual disabilities.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Doe- en voelstations
• Kinderwagenvriendelijk: niet aanwezig
• Verschoonruimte

The visit suits children from about age 5; the many staircases and narrow passages can be difficult for the youngest, and a baby carrier is recommended. Activities include costumes to try on from October to March, a knights’ school for ages 5 to 14 during the spring and autumn holidays, a trebuchet firing demonstration, an interactive video game and a treasure hunt with a paid booklet. Strollers can be left in shelter at the foot of the artillery tower; a changing table is located in the toilets of the châtelet.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The castle is 9 km south of Sarlat, in the Périgord Noir.

Service & horeca

• Restaurant
• Museumwinkel

Taverne-crêperie, open daily until November 11, 2026, with an associated shop. Dogs are welcome on a leash, both inside and outside.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

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