Archers scan across the clearing below, quivers filled with arrows earmarked for the enemy.
A trio of trebuchets move into position, massive rocky payloads await the call.
The captain of the guard barks out final instructions, armor-clad warriors listen and wait.
Non-combatants scatter, heavy doors bolted shut.
It is 1375, the 38th year of the bloody Hundred Years’ War between the kingdoms of England and France, and I was there.
SAY WHAAAAAT?
Well, not really. Just my imagination running wild during a visit to the Château de Beynac, a CASTLE in the Dordogne River Valley of France that saw its fair share of battles during that war that took the lives of generations of young men before it finally came to an end.
This photogenic rock-and-mortar locale stands at the top of a limestone cliff that overlooks part of the country’s old Périgord Noir in the Aquitaine region.
Today, Château de Beynac, privately owned and open to the public, stands quietly as an historic monument designated by the French Ministry of Culture.
From its perch, the castle offers spectacular panoramic views that make the hike up and back down the very steep, rocky path — sans armor — well worth the effort.
For more photographic interpretations of CASTLE, this week’s A Word-a-Week Challenge, just click HERE.
©The Palladian Traveler | ©Tom Palladio Images
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Brilliant post with exquisite photos. I am so impressed 🙂
Thanks very much, Paula. Glad you enjoyed my castle. 🙂
Wonderful! It has been many years since I was in France and this took me back, your pictures have a wonderful way of conjuring the romance of the region!
Thanks so much, Crystal!
Nice. Bur your white print comes out blank in the copy…
It’s because you’re viewing my blog on a smart phone, right? The white font shows fine on a computer, notebook, laptop or iPad.
This is a fantastic entry, as usual.
Thanks so much, SmileW. 🙂
Lovely! Can you imagine privately owning a castle? I can’t. As an aside, for tomorrow morning, I’ll be posting a few pictures from Day 1 of our road trip.
janet
I’ll be on the lookout for your first-look at WY.
Lovely post Tom. The last photo is my fav! Life must have been something in those days!
Thanks Tina. I’d like to think of myself as a Renaissance Man vice Medieval Man, for obvious reason. 🙂
What a beautiful castle, it would be fun to walk down those narrow streets and explore this beautiful place, thanks for sharing
I’m inviting you to come join us for Travel Photo Mondays, the link is open all week starting on Mondays, look forward to your linking up 🙂
Noel — Thanks for sampling my TPT site. I’ll do the same with yours, and I’ll offer something up this coming week for Travel Photo Mondays.