Peyrelade Castle

Visit Château de Peyrelade in the time of the Lords

Between Millau and the Gorges du Tarn in Aveyron, welcome to the children’s kingdom, where visits, games and entertainment for all punctuate life at Peyrelade castle.

Relive the Middle Ages!

In July and August, every Tuesday and Wednesday from 11am to 6pm, a troupe of zany comedians invade the château. Spectacular combat demonstrations are on offer. Between these highlights, continue your discovery of the site with medieval craft workshops, coin minting, archery demonstrations…

On Thursdays, kids are kings!

During the two months of summer, there really is something for all ages: a guided tour specially designed for 6-10 year-olds leads 2 teams to assault the fortress. For the little ones, there’s a face-painting session, balloon sculpting and cartomagie for free. For older children (aged 9-14), an introduction to archery. Good to know Don’t forget to book for the children’s tour and archery!

Family fun with “Les Enquêtes de Anne Mésia au château de Peyrelade”

The castle’s occupants have fallen victim to an evil spell, and you must help them recover their memories. A fun, interactive visit to experience with your children (aged 6 to 12). Games and challenges, augmented reality images. Download the free app before your stay or once on site and travel back in time.

An exceptional viewpoint

The highlight of the tour is undoubtedly the climb to the top of the keep, after crossing the impressive drawbridge. As a reward, a spectacular panorama of the Tarn valley!

The wooden hoardings at the top of the tower and the ramparts give a good insight into the defense techniques used in medieval times.

Allocate around 1 hour to explore the various areas, accessible via several series of steps and staircases. Bring comfortable shoes.

Aerial view of Peyrelade castle

“Good to know : The route des seigneurs du Rouergue groups together 18 castles in Ayeyron to discover with the whole family.”

Access to the castle, on the route des Seigneurs du Rouergue

Coming from Millau, there’s nothing to suggest that behind this large rock lies a fortified castle. Follow the meander of the Tarn, side view a face takes shape; north face, fortifications appear…

At the village of Boyne, a sign “route des Seigneurs du Rouergue” signals access to the castle. Between vineyards and cellar villages, the narrow road climbs, with spaces every 100m for passing each other! Be careful, this access is therefore impossible by bus and not recommended for motorhomes, which will have to climb up on foot.

Good to know : Hike up to the château from Rivière sur Tarn following Monsieur Clapassou’s itineraries. Departure from the Tourist Office parking lot.

Peyrelade, the large stone in Occitan, has a long history…

In the Middle Ages, Peyrelade castle was one of the most powerful fortresses in Rouergue. Its influence extended as far as the borders of Sévéragais, Languedoc and Gévaudan.

Between the 12th and 16th centuries, after multiple conflicts, several lords succeeded one another and shared the castle. It was a coseigniory, a collocation of sorts!

Then the Hundred Years’ War and the Wars of Religion damaged the castle’s fortifications until it was dismantled, ordered by Richelieu in 1633. The abandoned fortress was left to be pillaged and robbed.

As for the villagers, they took refuge at the foot of the rock, in the village built to shelter them from the north wind. Imagine if all travel was by mule!

Ruins on the brink of oblivion!

Many of the castle’s stones were used to build houses in the villages below. In 1977, the commune of Rivière-sur-Tarn took up the incredible challenge of reviving these ruins overgrown with brambles and vegetation. Clean-up, excavation and restoration projects have followed one another for over 30 years, led by volunteers and enthusiasts with the support of the public authorities. These programs continue today, little by little, stone by stone!