THE CASTLE OF THE TOURNEL

The imposing ruins of Château du Tournel testify to the power of the few baronies that shared the Gévaudan territory in the ^12th century. From the top of its rocky outcrop (today pierced by the D901 road tunnel), the Château du Tournel controlled the Lot valley towards Mende, and its sheer size can be seen in the surviving remains: keep, corner towers, chapel and walls. Covered in lichen, the schist gives it a beautiful orange-brown patina, unusual for a building of this era. Built in the ^13th century by the barony of Tournel, it was originally a defensive château that was only inhabited for around a century, the family preferring to stay at Château de Boy (in Lanuéjols) for reasons of comfort. The château was destroyed during the Wars of Religion and abandoned. A large-scale restoration and enhancement program should enable it to continue to stand the test of time. Today, access is via an interpretive trail; a self-service leaflet also explains the flora and fauna that inhabit the site and give it a little extra soul. At the very top, between the stone walls that still stand proudly, you'll discover a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area, with Mont Lozère and the Lot valley in the foreground. The château has also been the setting for films and TV series such as Hero Corp and Saint-Jacques... La Mecque.