Château de Beaucens, Medieval castle ruins in Beaucens, France
Château de Beaucens is a castle in Beaucens in the French Pyrenees that now operates as a zoological park called Donjon des Aigles, housing numerous birds of prey. A central keep rises above the ruins while surrounding walls with crenellations preserve the original fortress structure.
The castle was founded in 1037 and served as a seat for the Viscounts of Lavedan, a powerful family of the mountain region. Religious conflicts and natural disasters eventually led to its decline and abandonment.
The castle's name derives from the local family who long held these lands, and traces of noble life remain visible in the excavated rooms on the eastern side. Visitors can sense how generations shaped this place through their presence here.
The site is accessible mainly to visitors of the bird park, where birds of prey are displayed during flight demonstrations. Afternoon hours are the best time to visit when the demonstrations take place.
The Tower of Midi contains an ancient well on its ground floor and now houses a condor, a bird known for its extraordinary long-distance travels. This links the castle's old military purpose with its current role in an unexpected way.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
