Today we visited Château Bonaguil, a fortification begun in the 13th century, with major expansions in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Ironically, this incredibly well-designed fortress never had to repel foreign attackers. Its downfall came at the time of the French Revolution, when the 99% expressed their discontent with all things royal and elitist, and tore much of it down.
But before that time, this bastion of power flourished for many years and it is still remarkably well-preserved. It fulfills all castle fantasies – with a drawbridge, secret tunnels, a dungeon and several defensive towers. What more could you ask for?
It even came with a small village down its mountain, where the serfs must have lived, and where we stopped for lunch. The empty plates? Imagine onion soup and chèvre salad. They were good!
