Château de la Roque, Medieval castle in Meyrals, France
Château de la Roque is a medieval castle in Meyrals featuring a main building with round towers and a Renaissance pavilion, all roofed in slate and stone. The fortress sits on a raised position overlooking ancient caves, with a rectangular gatehouse that once protected the entrance via a drawbridge.
Construction began in the 12th century with modifications made in the 13th and 16th centuries when it served as a stronghold for the Beynac family. The fortress remained a key defensive position in the region for generations.
The chapel inside holds 16th-century frescoes showing religious scenes and the lives of the local noble families who once ruled here. These painted walls tell stories of faith and power through their images.
The site sits on a defensive hilltop with ancient caves beneath, which are part of what visitors can explore. Walking through the grounds helps you understand the different levels and structures that make up the fortress.
In 1754, Archbishop Christophe de Beaumont was exiled here by King Louis XV for criticizing Jean-Jacques Rousseau's writings on education. This episode connects the fortress to major Enlightenment thinkers of the time.
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