The ruin of a medieval castle with a view over the Rhône

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

During the Hundred Years' War, the castle was further extended, with the ramparts widened in 1355. Louis IX rebuilt the castle after the Albigensian Crusade. Alas, the castle was demolished on Richelieu’s orders in 1632 during the Wars of Religion. The current structures, dating to the 12th and 16th centuries, were rebuilt, with additional Roman remains discovered during restoration. The castle's Romanesque chapel contains a charming, sculpted tympanum, and the museum at the castle offers exhibits on the region's archaeology and popular arts and traditions.

The castle is sometimes used for filmed historical reenactments, series, or films, and in 2014, work was done to reopen the castle’s main gate, originally intended as an entrance for garrisons. Today, visitors can stand atop the ruin and look out over the Rhône.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons