NAJAC CASTLE

Before the fortress, there was a fortified castle, built in 1100 by Bertrand de Saint-Gilles, son of Raymond VII, Count of Rodez. A simple square tower from the 12th century, the fortress which dominates the village was enlarged in the 13th century and became the keystone of the country. Sponsored in 1253 by Alphonse de Poitiers, brother of Saint Louis, the Fortress of Najac was built by the Counts of Toulouse to defend the Rouergue. Capital of the Bas Rouergue, it housed the seneschaussée. In 1249, on the death of Count Raimond VII, his son-in-law Alphonse de Poitiers succeeded him and the region, with Najac, rose up for a few months. The new count brought the region back into line before deciding, in order to consolidate his power, to show his strength and to reinforce the existing military works. The visit begins with an evocation of the architecture and construction techniques used by the journeymen builders. The signatures of the different trades are visible. Inside, there are well-preserved rooms and the chapel, with its vaults and carved capitals. The visit is punctuated with anecdotes. For example, you will learn that the English troops welcomed in 1362 were driven out of the fortress using a local technique. According to the rule of hospitality, the owners offered wine to their guests at will, so that they didn't have much trouble passing them over the surrounding walls afterwards! Revenge of history, today many British subjects have chosen to settle in Aveyron.