Château de Beynac

The heavy defensive walls were once guarded by some of France's most famous personalities: King Richard I "Lionheart" of England, who already crossed our path as a prisoner at Trifels Castle, Simon de Montfort, leader of one of the Crusades, the Lords of Beynac and the four Lords of Périgord, who ruled in the castle's state room. It is said that deep in the heart of the fortress, the echoes of the battles of the Hundred Years War still reverberate.

With the rains in autumn and spring, the Dordogne becomes navigable. It is the safest route between Bergerac and the Bordelais. Along its meandering course, boats with a very shallow draft, gabarres, sail and transport goods such as walnuts, chestnuts, wood or wine from Périgord. Each boat must acquire a right of passage from the Lord of Beynac.

Since the 13th century, along the river, below the castle, settled the seigneural fishery known for its salmon. The strategic location of the fortress of Beynac allowed easy control over the local waterways, which significantly increased the economic power and made its master one of the most powerful figures of the 12th and 13th centuries.

Adhémar de Beynac died in 1194, leaving no direct heir and therefore rightly allowing Richard I to offer the castle of Beynac to one of his most loyal companions, a man to whom he also entrusted responsibility for his castles in Aquitaine during his absence: the warrior Mercadier.

Kitchens were installed during the 13th century renovations and fundamentally changed the appearance of the castle. Since the lords of Beynac could afford such a kitchen, they once again showed their power and wealth.

The hooks fixed to the ceiling allow to keep the supplies out of reach of the rats. The pisé floor here forms a path through the rock against which the castle kitchens are built. The kitchen, designed on a scale usually reserved for castles and abbeys, allowed roasting meat, while also providing a bread oven, an essential component for all meals.

Even though the Lords of Beynac are no longer there, the power that once emanated from here is palpable and impressive at every step.