CHÂTEAU D'ARZENC-D'APCHER

Perched at the top of the cliffs overlooking the gorges of the Bès, the castle of Arzenc-d'Apcher was a stronghold of the barons of Apcher, one of the eight baronies of Gévaudan. Built as a motte castrale at the end of the 12th century, the rock receives a high isolated tower. This one will be supplemented by a body of fortification and by cylindrical towers during XIVe century. During the 16th century, the castle loses its defensive character and becomes a prestigious residential house. The castle is abandoned during the seventeenth century, the lack of maintenance and wear and tear then cause its collapse. In the Middle Ages, the castle of Arzenc-d'Apcher protected the west of the eponymous village thanks to its incomparable strategic position. Today only a few ruins of this building remain. In addition to the tower of Arzenc, you can see the remains of two cylindrical towers below that served to counterbalance the building above the ravine.