Château de Ventadour, Medieval castle in Moustier-Ventadour, France.
Château de Ventadour stretches about 170 meters along a rocky ridge at 572 meters elevation, offering views over the Soudeillette and Vigne gorges. The complex includes ramparts, a round tower, a lordly dwelling, and a chapel that together form a medieval ensemble.
The fortress was founded in 1059 by a son of Viscount Archambaud II of Comborn and underwent modifications through the 15th century. Its position on the rocky ridge made it a strategic control point over the surrounding valleys.
The castle was an important center for medieval love poetry, where the troubadour Bernard of Ventadour refined his art under the patronage of Viscount Ebles II. This court attracted artists and scholars who shaped the cultural life of the region.
The site is open to visitors from May through November and can be explored via guided tours. The paths along the ramparts can be steep and slippery, especially in wet conditions or when windy.
Archaeological excavations between 2003 and 2005 revealed previously unknown structures, including a barbican and several decorated medieval rooms. These discoveries shifted understanding of the site and exposed details of daily life for past inhabitants.
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