Aquitaine Chateaux and Castles

The French region of Aquitaine has a rich culture whose roots go back to the Celts. Ancient druidic symbols in aging churches bear silent witness to their Celtic ancestry. Various of these Roman churches are on the old pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, one of the most important places of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages.

The many castles recall other stirring times, when Aquitaine was caught up in the struggle between France and England. La Brède, for example, the centuries old family home of Montesquieu, whose living quarters and study can be still viewed there. France is so proud of the author of 'The Spirit of Laws' that La Brède is even depicted on the 200 franc note.

A castle that is well worth visiting with children is Roquetaillade, a massive fort on a rocky cliff rising high above the surrounding estates. It is exactly as you would imagine a castle when you think of knights in armour, drawn-out sieges and fierce battles: a huge construction with six enormous towers and only a single road leading up to it. A giant size model of the castle near the main entrance shows what a medieval siege might look like.