The Castle of Bonaguil is a castle in France that was built in 1250. Its name means ‘the needle’ and is a reference to its location atop a steep hill. Bonaguil was the last of the medieval castles constructed in France. In 1862 the castle was classed as a Historic Monument, an indication of its historical importance and its popularity with tourists. Bonaguil is situated close to Fumel, in the village of Saint Front sur Lemance and is the venue of the annual Bonaguil Fumel Theatre Festival, held in August.
The Castle of Bonaguil has a rich history. Although the castle was built during the thirteenth century, it was completely restructured between the fifteenth and sixteenth century. The original structure was actually quite unimpressive and went through many owners before it was finally abandoned for many years. It was finally in 1444 that the castle was put to use once again. Isabeau de Peyre and her husband Jean de Roquefeuil went about renovating Bonaguil after their marriage. However, it was really their son, Baron Bergenger of Roquefeuil, who is credited with turning the medieval castle into an impenetrable fortress.
The changes took about four decades to complete. In the end, the structure had thirteen towers and over one thousand feet of defensive malls, making it quite impenetrable. Many of the changes made by the baron have survived to this day, and although they look pretty impressive, they have never really been put to use. Despite the passing of time, the Bonaguil Castle is in good shape thanks to renovation work conducted from time to time.
Villenueve Sur Lot is a small town located in the south of France. The quiet little town is bisected by the Lot River and has a few interesting attractions to visit. The town enjoys a central location making it easy to explore the surrounding region. Tourists who want to visit the Bonaguil Castle can easily take a short trip from Villenueve Sur Lot. Travellers looking for a quiet hotel Villeneuve Sur Lot can try Le Moulin de Madame. With excellent rooms and great views of the surrounding area, the Villeneuve Sur Lot hotel is a terrific place to stay.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
