The ruined medieval castle of Beaucaire

The Château de Beaucaire, known locally as Castèu de Bèucaire, is a ruined medieval castle in the commune of Beaucaire. First built by the Counts of Toulouse in 1180 to protect the town from various invasions, the castle played a significant role in the Albigensian Crusade in 1209 when it was captured by Simon de Montfort's troops. However, it was recaptured by Raymond VII in 1216. After the annexation of the Languedoc in 1229, Louis IX completely rebuilt the castle, and Beaucaire became the seat of one of two seneschalships.

During the Hundred Years' War, the castle underwent extensive rebuilding, including an extension of the ramparts in 1350 and the widening of the city walls in 1355. In 1632, during the Wars of Religion, the castle was destroyed on Cardinal de Richelieu’s orders. The existing structures date from the 12th and 16th centuries, and during restoration, Roman remains were unearthed including a Gallo-Roman funerary stele known as the Centonaires. The castle's Romanesque chapel contains a charming, sculpted tympanum, and the musée Auguste Jacquet offers exhibits on the region's archaeology and popular arts and traditions.

The castle is sometimes used for filmed historical reenactments, series, or films. In 2014, an intermunicipal association undertook work to reopen the castle’s main gate, which was originally intended as an entrance for garrisons. This gate now opens onto open space and offers visitors a panoramic view of the landscape.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons