The Château de Castelnaud, built on a rocky spur, is said to be the most visited castle in the South of France.
It is also renowned for housing a museum dedicated to the art of warfare in the Middle Ages, inaugurated in 1985.
The museum houses an extensive collection of hast weapons, swords, daggers, artillery pieces, defensive outfits and more. The sober scenography highlights the collections and provides a wealth of explanations on the manufacture and use of weapons and armor. The evolution of fortification and siege techniques is also illustrated by a slide show, films and video games.
Visitors can also view a collection of 200 pieces of weaponry and armor, as well as life-size reproductions of war machines such as mangonels, trebuchets, couillards, pierrières, bricole... and discover certain aspects of the life of the lords of Castelnaud in the medieval-inspired garden and furnished keep.
The tour is free but well documented.
As the seasons go by, visitors can enjoy medieval storytelling, armor and costume fittings, blacksmithing demonstrations, trebuchet shooting, weapons handling and night-time shows, as well as numerous other medieval activities.
Castelnaud castle was listed as a Historic Monument in 1966.
Open all year round.
Guided tours followed by trebuchet shooting available daily from 01/04 to 12/11.
All events are free of charge and without reservation.
Museum of War in the Middle Ages
24250 Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
Tel.: 05 53 31 30 00
château@castelnaud.com
