Château d'Aubeterre-sur-Dronne

Château d'Aubeterre-sur-Dronne is a fortress built on a limestone ridge that rises above the Dronne valley and village below. The remaining structures include medieval defensive towers and Renaissance-period architecture, occupying an elevated position that once provided clear sightlines across the surrounding landscape.

The fortress began as a construction in the 11th century, with the earliest written records mentioning Géraud, a local lord, around 1004. Over time it grew into a significant center of power and defense for the surrounding region.

The chapel within the complex displays Renaissance features and served as part of the castle's spiritual and defensive purpose. Underground passages linked the fortress to nearby religious buildings, showing how religious and military power were closely intertwined in medieval times.

The site sits on a hilltop and requires walking through the village and climbing steep paths to reach the ruins. The best time to visit is during dry weather, as the paths become slippery in rain or damp conditions.

Archaeological digs beneath the castle uncovered a network of medieval cave dwellings carved into the rock, revealing how medieval people lived underground. These hidden structures show early construction methods that remain largely concealed beneath the visible ruins above ground.