Castle Beynac

The town of Beynac grew up around Beynac Castle at the top of a hill. After breakfast we walked to the top of the hill to tour the castle. Our hotel was at the bottom of the hill on the edge of route D-703. Literally on the edge. The outside wall of the hotel restaurant is less than a meter from the cars traipsing by. It is a small two lane road, even though it has a highway number. It is probably not wide enough for two large American cars to pass each other. Fortunately, we have a small European car.

After breakfast we wandered up the hill. A passer-by took pity on me trying to take a self portrait with my iPhone.




So we have a decent picture.


Most of the castle is empty and looks like what you see in Hollywood movers. In fact, some scenes from the 1999 movie "Joan of Arc" were filmed inside Castle Beynac. Some rooms are roped off, well more like gated off, with a huge gate like you might use in a dungeon. These rooms are furnished and look like someone could live there. Though I wouldn't want their heating bill!



Across the Dordogne River is Caste Naud (in the fog today.) These two castles were rivals for two centuries. And I'm not talking about a sporting rivalry. I'm talking about boiling oil and crossbows.