One good reason to visit Belcastel- the Château de Belcastel

At the turn of the 20^th century, it was a rundown village in a state of ruins, thanks to the English invasion. Today, the commune of Belcastel in Aveyron, with its soaring medieval castle that overlooks the village is a beckoning rustic sight that ranks among one of France’s most beautiful villages.

Preserving its medieval character, the village is lined with cobbled streets and stone-tiled houses. Most of the village and the castle, known as  Château de Belcastel, are separated by the River Aveyron and joined by an ancient 15^th century stone bridge.

 

If you’re a fan of the reality show The Quest, you’d feel you wish to live here. There are aged churches and buildings, there is even a ruined fort around one kilometer west of the village, for the die-hard medieval/ fantasy devotees to explore. The highlight of Belcastel, however, is its medieval castle.

Château de Belcastel

Despite being embattled, the castle remained unbeaten. Years of war may ravaged it, but its basic structure remains sturdy and is still a formidable sight to behold, considering it was built in the 9^th century. Declared a historic monument by the French Ministry of Culture in 1928, the castle was discovered in ruins years later in 1974. Famed French architect Fernand Pouillon took it upon himself to restore the fortress since its abandonment during the 17^th century. Done painstakingly by hand, with help from a dozen Algerian stonemasons, 10 stained-glass masters and practically all the villagers in Belcastel, Pouillon toiled for eight years. The castle’s precarious position and lack of machinery used in the process create a more compelling story behind the arduous undertaking.

Today, visitors can marvel at the beauty of the restored castle and study in detail its growing collection of medieval armour and travelling exhibits of sculptures and paintings.

The chateau today belongs to a young American couple who welcome visitors to the castle between April and November.

There are a couple of ways to visit the castle, both offering a different experience. You can explore the castle on your own, like how a resident of Belcastel would back in the day, via the drawbridge through the polygonal five-tower enclosure flanked by imposing walls. Or you can opt for a tour that will bring you to the secret parts of the castle and understand in detail, Pouillon’s restoration efforts.

Other things to do

Belcastel isn’t a big village, so once you’re done with the chateau, head on over to the Forge Museum, where you can learn about how crafts were done in olden days without machinery. Here, you get to see how Blacksmiths, fishermen, and clog-makers weld weapons the old school way, a process far more worthy of marveling than say, the invention of robots. That and it makes you appreciate all the modern comforts we take for granted every day.

Tip: If you’re in the mood for some good food, the Restaurant Du Vieux Pont at Hotel Du Vieux Pont, is recommended. It’s said to be a favorite of the locals. Also, if you want to truly absorb the spirit of Belcastel, visit during July or August; there’re night markets planned on every Friday in July and the whole of August.

Beyond visiting the Chateau, take your time to walk around the village and explore. There are no ugly antennas sticking out of rooftops, no obnoxious drivers refusing to give way or traffic lights that look completely out of place in this quaint, peaceful settings. All you have is an air thick with history and culture, and you’ll feel for a brief few moments, that you exist in the past.