The Château de Commarque, located in Les Eyzies in the Dordogne department of southern France, is a beautiful hillside castle that was founded during the 12th century. Initially, it was only a wooden tower built on a rocky outcrop in the valley of the river La Beune to protect an abbey and ensure the safety of the valley. However, its strategic position at the crossing of two important commercial roads made it an attractive target. Hence, it was enhanced with a stone keep and fortifications, and its ownership was contested by influential families such as the Beynacs.
After undergoing further modifications over the centuries, the Château de Commarque eventually fell into disuse and was abandoned in the 18th century. However, it was restored in the 1970s, thanks to Hubert de Commarque, a descendant of the castle's original owners, and is now a popular tourist destination, with visitors taking guided and self-guided tours to learn about its history. Since 1943, the castle has been classified as a Monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.
Another notable feature of Château de Commarque is a prehistoric cave that lies beneath it.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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