Château de BOnaguil

Sovereign supreme of fortified castles: Bonaguil

Fancy visiting an icon of medieval military architecture? An edifice which showcases all medieval-period innovations? Then, you only have one choice: Bonaguil, in the Lot Valley, a fortress that has never ever been attacked!

Château de Bonaguil dans le Lot et Garonne (47)

In 1906, Thomas Edward Lawrence, had not yet become Lawrence of Arabia. The young Englishman, who had just turned 18, was fascinated by medieval history. Already driven by a tremendous adventurous spirit, he jumped on his bike and rode off to follow the footsteps of Richard the Lionheart, to discover French fortified castles. When he came across Bonaguil, he said the following: “A fortress so perfect it seems ridiculous to call it a ruin”.

Bonaguil Castle, located near Fumel, is exactly that, a perfect castle which showcases everything which the Middle Ages produced as far as architectural military innovations go. To reach the castle, the road weaves its way from Fumel through rolling countryside. And, there it stands proudly on its hill, overlooking its small village. Once on top of the hill, the whole military genius of its architects is unveiled through drawbridges, towers, an impressive dungeon, embrasures, etc. Everything that was anything back in the era is to be found here.

Spectacle Son et Lumières - Château de Bonaguil

An invincible fortress!

Its foundation stones were laid back in the 13th century but 1483 was the year when building work really took off and would make it the invincible fortress it was to become. Really invincible Bonaguil? No-one will ever know because the castle was never attacked. When its lord Bérenger de Roquefeuil decided to devote all his attention to it, the Hundred Years’ War had been over for 30 years and military techniques had advanced greatly. So much so that, 40 years later, when Bonaguil was ready to be reinforced, Christopher Columbus had discovered America and the Loire castles had begun to popularize the palace-style trend where the lord would have a good time and would no longer defend himself (or the castle). Bonaguil, outdated since its birth as a result of the medieval folly of its lord, now invites us in, five centuries later, as one of the most exquisite fortified castles in France. The cinema industry didn’t get it wrong when it chose to shoot the scenes of the Vieux Fusil here in 1975, followed, more recently, by the American blockbuster Prince of Persia, which also chose Bonaguil, most definitely the perfect example of a medieval castle.

www.chateau-bonaguil.com

Château de Bonaguil 

RELATED
ARTICLES 

From Duras to Nérac, head off and discover our medieval treasures.

Sailing along the rivers of Nouvelle-Aquitaine is another way to enjoy your holidays, relaxed roaming along waterways...

Pauline Broutet and her family have been running the Domaine de Beyssac vineyard in Marmande for the past ten years....

Two hours east of Bordeaux, a trip to meet Montravel winemakers.

Surfing and chili pepper tastings are not the only things to do in Basque Country! There are also many many...

At Milandes, the Château in the Dordogne that once belonged to Joséphine Baker, the park has been returned to its...

RELATED
ARTICLES 

From Duras to Nérac, head off and discover our medieval treasures.

Sailing along the rivers of Nouvelle-Aquitaine is another way to enjoy your holidays, relaxed roaming along waterways...

Pauline Broutet and her family have been running the Domaine de Beyssac vineyard in Marmande for the past ten years....

Two hours east of Bordeaux, a trip to meet Montravel winemakers.

Surfing and chili pepper tastings are not the only things to do in Basque Country! There are also many many...

At Milandes, the Château in the Dordogne that once belonged to Joséphine Baker, the park has been returned to its...

My address book 

Oops! No results were found for your search and/or the filters applied. Try broadening your search criteria.

Select background map

IGN MAP

IGN MAP

AERIAL PHOTOS / IGN

AERIAL PHOTOS / IGN

MULTI-SCALE MAPS / IGN

MULTI-SCALE MAPS / IGN

TOP 25 IGN

TOP 25 IGN

SLOPE MAP (IGN PLAN)

SLOPE MAP (IGN PLAN)

CADASTRAL PARCELS

CADASTRAL PARCELS

ICAO AERONAUTICAL CHARTS

ICAO AERONAUTICAL CHARTS

MAP 1950 / IGN

MAP 1950 / IGN

MAP OF THE GENERAL STAFF (1820-1866)

MAP OF THE GENERAL STAFF (1820-1866)

COASTAL MAPS / SHOM/IGN

COASTAL MAPS / SHOM/IGN

SCAN EXPRESS STANDARD / IGN

SCAN EXPRESS STANDARD / IGN

CLASSIC EXPRESS SCAN / IGN

CLASSIC EXPRESS SCAN / IGN

OPEN STREET MAP

OPEN STREET MAP

GOOGLE MAP - SATELLITE

GOOGLE MAP - SATELLITE

GOOGLE MAP - MAP

GOOGLE MAP - MAP

GOOGLE MAP - HYBRID

GOOGLE MAP - HYBRID

IGN BELGIUM

IGN BELGIUM