Château de Castelbouc, Medieval castle ruins in Sainte-Enimie, France
Château de Castelbouc is a medieval castle ruin perched on limestone cliffs above the Tarn River, with its remaining walls shaping the skyline of the Gorges du Tarn Causses. The structure still shows the layout of a fortified stronghold with tower and defensive walls.
The castle was built in the 12th century by Etienne de Castelbouc, a vassal of the Knights Templar, and was destroyed in 1592 during the French Wars of Religion. Its fall marked the end of its importance in the region.
The castle name comes from local folklore about a medieval lord who turned into a goat, and mysterious sounds are still heard near the tower at night. This story has become part of how locals and visitors understand and remember this place.
The ruins are largely inaccessible, but visitors can view the castle from several viewpoints along the Tarn River and nearby walking trails. Wear good shoes since paths in this area are uneven and sometimes steep.
Sauropod footprints were recently found in a cave near the castle bridge, revealing the site was once a lagoon during the Middle Jurassic period. This discovery connects the site's ancient geological past with its medieval history.
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