Tayac Castle

The Château de Tayac is a 13^th century castle with a fascinating history in the commune of Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil in the Dordogne département of France.

History of Tayac Castle

The castle stands on a platform in a cliff. There is evidence that the platform was occupied in prehistoric times since Magdelanian and Azilian artefacts have been found at the site.

Then known as the Roc de Tayac, the early castle was built in the 13th century. During the course of the Hundred Years’ War, it was held alternately by the English and the French, suffering successive sieges. It had to be rebuilt in the 16th century. In 1595, it suffered a siege during the Jacquerie des Croquants, an uprising of peasants against the king (1590–1600).

In 1606, the king ordered the castle’s demolition, undoubtedly following the execution of Jean Guy de Beynac who had been implicated in the Duke of Bouillon’s conspiracy.

The edifice is partly cut out of the rock and partly built. Its defensive walls rise on a corbelling of the cliff. The rooms, corridors and stairways are cut from the rock.

Tayac Castle Today

The castle site is state property. It has been listed since 1968 as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.

Access is through a doorway beneath a semi-circular arch of large stones. This entrance leads to a passage, partly excavated, partly built, under the building at right angles to the main façade which barred access to the platform. The corps de logis, parallel to the cliff, has a turret in its south west corner supported by corbels.

Getting to Tayac Castle

From the centre of Toulouse, Tayac Castle is a 2 and a half hour drive via the A20 road. From the centre of Bordeaux the castle is also 2 and a half hours via the A89 road. From nearby town Perigueux, the castle is an hour’s drive via the D47 road.