Najac, Medieval village in Aveyron, France
Najac is a village that stretches along a single narrow street on a rocky ridge, topped by a fortress built in the 13th century. The castle sits high above the Aveyron River valley with sweeping views across the surrounding countryside.
The fortress was founded in 1253 by Alphonse of Poitiers as a royal stronghold to control the strategic Aveyron route. Over the centuries, the structure changed hands among different rulers, shaping the settlement's importance as a regional power center.
Local artisans have set up workshops in the old stone buildings, displaying their crafts in shop windows throughout the village. Walking through the streets, you notice how creative work shapes daily life here.
The village is best explored on foot, as the narrow main street is not suited for vehicle traffic. Wear comfortable shoes, as the pathways are uneven and slope steeply in places.
The fortress's pentagonal keep rises around 40 meters high and is one of the rare surviving examples of this specific design in the region. This unusual shape gave defenders advantages against attackers approaching from multiple angles.
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