Dating from the early 14th century and remodelled in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Château Saint-Saturnin in Tartaronne is nestled in the Saint-Saturnin cirque (Causse de Sauveterre). A former royal fief, the castle – whose construction was begun by the Comtors de Montferrand as early as the 12th century – is a remarkable structure and features the last royal keep in the Gévaudan region.
In the 13th century, the feudal castle is mentioned as part of the King of France’s domain and served to secure the royal domain of Gévaudan against Rouergue.
From 1307 to 1656, it belonged to the Montferrand family, the maternal family of Pope Urban V. During the Wars of Religion, it served as a royal garrison. The building is laid out as a quadrangle flanked by three round towers and one square tower. The main building adjoins the latter and forms the south wing, with an external staircase in the courtyard. The square tower is the medieval keep, crowned with machicolations. The floors have been lost, but it retains two trefoil-arched windows, which allow it to be dated to the late 13th or early 14th century, a period when the King of France, in conflict with the Bishop of Mende, fortified his castles. In the 16th century, a main building was added to this keep.
It was remodelled in the 16th and 17th centuries and has been largely restored over the last 30 years.
In 1995, a family descended from Amphélise de Montferrand – mother of Pope Urban V, who hailed from the Gevaudan region – purchased the castle ruins and embarked on a long-term restoration project. It was listed as a Historic Monument in November 1995, in recognition of both its history and its architecture.
A 45-minute guided tour of the interior and exterior explains the history and architecture of the Château de Saint Saturnin, with details on the defensive features of castles in the Middle Ages.
Children are welcome and can follow the tour using an informative and fun discovery booklet about the Château de Saint Saturnin, the fortified castle, the Middle Ages and the art of restoration.
Admission to the château also includes free access to the exhibition ‘Women in the Middle Ages’.
Château de Saint Saturnin de Tartaronne
48500 Saint Saturnin
Tel.: 04 66 32 83 67
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