Château de Blanchefort, Medieval castle remains near Rennes-les-Bains, France
Château de Blanchefort is a castle ruin perched on a white limestone peak near Rennes-les-Bains, consisting of foundation stones and wall fragments. The remaining structures reveal how tightly built these medieval mountain fortresses were.
The fortress was founded in the 10th century and came under the control of Bernard Aton IV Trencavel in the 12th century before being captured in 1209. This early destruction made it one of many fortresses lost during the Albigensian Crusade.
Local legends connect the ruins to hidden treasures and secret passages that continue to draw curious visitors today. These stories have shaped how people in the region view and remember this site.
The climb to the castle is challenging and requires good footing and protective clothing against thorns and thick vegetation. Visitors should arrive early in the day and bring plenty of water, as there are no facilities on site.
The entrance to the castle courtyard was accessible only by ladder, as the main door sat several meters up on a cliff face. This unusual access control made the fortress feel nearly impregnable to attackers.
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