Château de Ventadour, Medieval castle in Meyras, France

Château de Ventadour is a medieval castle perched on a rocky crag at 373 meters elevation where two rivers converge. The ruins display a square keep, defensive walls, and several residential towers that are built into the natural rock face.

Construction of the castle began in the 12th century under the Solignac family who ruled the Meyras area. Control passed to the Montlaur family through marriage in 1195, marking a shift in power over the region.

The name Ventadour only appears on a painting title in 1818 and in the Meyras land register around 1830; before that the building was the château de Meyras. The castle stood above a toll bridge, the Pourtalou, over the Fontaulière, and travellers on the left bank paid passage rights here. Two pigeon lofts and a fortified gateway remain visible.

The climb to the castle requires sturdy footwear as pathways cross stone surfaces and uneven terrain. Plan to spend extra time on the ascent, as the views from above reward the effort and shade is limited throughout the site.

The castle's name is not medieval: it was called Château de Meyras until the 19th century. The name Ventadour appears on the title of an 1818 painting and in the Meyras land register around 1830, long after the fortress had fallen into ruin.