Château de Rauzan, Medieval castle in Rauzan, France
Château de Rauzan is a fortified castle in the French town of Rauzan featuring a distinctive cylindrical keep that rises over multiple floors. The site preserves its original defensive structures including a barbican, drawbridge, and portcullis at the main entrance.
The castle was built in the 12th century by John Lackland and later became contested territory during the Hundred Years War. A turning point came in 1377 when Bertrand du Guesclin took control of the fortress and shifted its strategic importance.
The castle shows how medieval architecture changed over time, with its stone walls reflecting the power of local lords across centuries. Visitors can still see how the structure evolved from a pure military fortress into a place where people actually lived.
The castle sits on elevated ground and is reached by walking up stairs and ramps to the main structures. Plan your visit for cooler hours of the day since there is limited shade throughout the site.
Beneath the castle's foundations lie archaeological layers from prehistoric times, showing that humans occupied this location for thousands of years. While these remains are not visible today, the site itself represents an unusually long history of human settlement in one spot.
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