Château de Valon, Medieval castle in Lacroix-Barrez, France
The castle stands on a hilltop dominating the Truyère Gorges, featuring stone walls, a dungeon, and a chapel connected by internal passages.
Built in the 11th century, the fortress served as a strategic outpost during English invasions following the Battle of Poitiers in the 14th century.
The castle preserves architectural elements from multiple periods, including a 14th-century staircase within the dungeon walls leading to a 25-meter-high terrace.
Visitors can choose between self-guided tours at 5 euros for adults and guided tours at 6 euros, with children under 8 entering free.
The castle incorporates schist stone construction techniques throughout its structure, except for the dungeon which uses different materials and methods.
Location: Lacroix-Barrez
GPS coordinates: 44.73610,2.63250
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:48
Occitanie encompasses an architectural and natural heritage that reflects many centuries of history. Medieval villages are nestled in valleys and on heights, while castles and monasteries tell of the era of the Cathars and religious orders. The region also features remarkable geological formations: deep gorges, waterfalls, potholes, and caves decorated with prehistoric paintings. Among the sites to visit, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie overlooks the Lot Valley with its stone houses and narrow streets. The Peyrepertuse fortress stands at 800 meters above sea level on a rocky spur in the Corbières. The Navacelles cirque reveals a canyon carved by the Vis River, while the Gorges de la Jonte provide trails through a habitat for vultures. The Lagrasse Abbey maintains its medieval architecture on the banks of the Orbieu, and the Niaux Cave houses Magdalenian paintings dating back 14,000 years. Natural curiosities like the Gouffre de l'Oeil Doux and the intermittent Fountain of Fontestorbes complete this territory where history and geology meet.
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Chapel of the Valon Castle
322 mReviews
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