The Château de Bonaguil is located in the Lot-et-Garonne, on the border with the Lot and close to the Dordogne. It is only 2 hours from Bordeaux and Toulouse, 1 hour from Agen.
From the top of its rocky outcrop, it dominates the valley and the medieval village.
It forms a group of castles, unique in Europe, in a remarkable state of conservation.
Bonaguil Castle shows off amazing architecture not to be missed as a favourite day out whilst on holiday here at Gone Fishin in the sunny Lot et Garonne.
.This wonderful example ‘Bonaguil Castle’ can be found between Périgord and Quercy in the village of Saint-Front-sur- Lémance near Fumel.
Enjoy this panoramic video of Bonaguil Castle
Built in the 13th century then modified and extended in the late 15th and early 16th centuries by Baron Bérenger de Roquefeuil, this fortress never came under any military attack, thanks to its impressive defence system.
A perfect illustration of the use of military architecture and techniques from the Middle Ages via the Renaissance to the early days of the Vauban fortifications.
Special organised Tours ( or simply stroll around) around Bonaguil Castle, you will be transported on a journey back to the time of the knights. Explore the towers and turrets, barbican, gunpowder store, casemates with embrasures, drawbridge and moats.
The top of the Fort boasts a panoramic terrace with a wonderful view over the whole fortress and spectacular surrounding scenery.
Theatre festival are held at the Bonaguil castle every first week of August and is certainly popular with guests.
Whilst touring Bonaguil Castle you can wander around the Fortress, the caves, walk drawbridges and take yourself into its life of medieval history.
In 1976, whilst exploring Bonaguil Castle the archaeologists Gilles SERAPHIN, Daniel FRUGIER and Michel EGRETAUD discovered under the Barbican, a low chamber under a broken cradle which served in the XVI and XVII centuries a storage place, and found important archaeological furniture . This discovery, associated with the discovery a few years earlier a set of graffiti on the internal walls of the Big Tower, comes to remind us that Bonaguil was indeed a place where people actually lived.
The storage place where they disposed of broken pottery they found simple clay cups and eating utensils, remains of beautiful stemmed glasses .
Their analysis is still to be done but they decided to put them in front of the public in 2013.
A lovely day out indeed and ant Bonaguil there is a lovely restaurant. Importantly there are car parks adjacent to the restaurant and also at the entrance of the Castle.