CHATEAU DU TOURNEL

Watching over the upper course of the Lot, Le Tournel, a powerful high-perched fortress, has ensured the defense of the entire Lot valley since the early Middle Ages. Seat of the barony, the Château du Tournel dominates the valley from its spur, upstream from the village of Saint-Julien. Alternately submissive vassal or baron in revolt against the bishop, the lord of Tournel dominated an immense territory to the east of the episcopal domain. From this powerful family, let us remember Bishop Aldebert III of Tournel, who obtained the title of Count-Bishop of Gévaudan for his rallying to the King of France and had the ramparts of Mende rebuilt in the 12th century. Although mainly documented for the 13th century, the Tournel appears in texts from the 12th century. From then on, this fortress was usefully modified and completed according to political and military events. At the time of the Hundred Years War, the Château du Tournel was in poor condition, it was restored by the seneschal of Beaucaire in 1356. The Guérin du Tournel family (senior branch) died out and the barony fell apart. The building is composed of a rectangular main building as well as an equally rectangular keep, but completed by a semi-circular tower on the north side. The whole is protected by an enclosure punctuated by circular towers. One of them houses the castle chapel, which is therefore considered as an element of the fortification. Separated from the main building by a large square, the chapel, now in ruins, presents on the outside, on the upper part of the apse, a strip of fish bones (opus spicatum). All the constructions are made of schist rubble bound with lime mortar. A small village, deserted in the 18th century, developed in contact with the castle on the southern flank. Further down, hidden at the bottom of the valley, is the small mill whose beal, one meter wide, is dug out of the shale!. 360° view from the ruins of the Château du Tournel. The Pays d'art et d'histoire Mende et Lot en Gévaudan can offer you guided tours, depending on the program or by reservation. click to discover the brochure of the castles of the Country of art and history

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