Château de Fénelon, Medieval fortress in Sainte-Mondane, France.
Château de Fénelon rises above the Dordogne valley with triple defensive walls and slate roofs built on rocky terraces between Périgord Noir and Quercy. The fortress comprises several connected buildings with towers, ramparts, and a large moat, all positioned on a natural rocky outcrop.
The castle began as a feudal structure around 1000 and served as a refuge for Cathars in the 13th century. It endured multiple sieges during the Hundred Years War and was later restored as a noble residence.
The castle displays arms, armor, and furnishings spanning the 15th to 18th centuries that reflect how noble families lived over time. The rooms show how tastes and craftsmanship evolved across different periods.
The castle can be explored on a self-guided basis, with a visit taking roughly one and a half hours. It is best to wear comfortable shoes, as the stairs and pathways within the fortress are steep and sometimes uneven.
The castle preserves one of the few remaining original lauze stone roofs in the Sarlat region, demonstrating medieval construction methods. These heavy stone slabs were laid without mortar and have endured for centuries, testifying to the craftsmanship of that era.
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