Château de Gavaudun is situated in the beautiful and quiet Gavaudun Valley (on the River Lede), that runs between Lacapelle Biron (and Chateau Biron) to the north and towards Monflanquin to the south, in the north of the Lot-et-Garonne department.

It is the setting and the castle donjon (keep) that is the highlight of a visit to Gavaudun. Perched astonishingly on a jutting out rocky outcrop, the castle at Gavaudun towers over the village below, and over the valley which it was built to guard over.

The castle was built in the 11th century, in a highly strategic location - the Gavaudun Valley was the main communication route between the Perigord and Agenais regions. Hence the Chateau de Gavaudun played an important role in the region. The original castle was destroyed in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 13th, and it subsequently played a key role in the victory against the English occupation of France.

Apart from its military history, Gavaudun has been occupied since early prehistoric times, and for many centuries had a tradition of iron ore mining and treatment, then later (from about the 17th century) in the manufacture of paper - both industries dependent on the river passing through the valley.

In the middle ages Gavaudun Valley was also a place where lepers got sent - the 'lepers cave' is near the village.

There isn't a great deal to see inside the castle, but a visit is still recommended. Even entering the castle is not for the feint-hearted, as you climb up a dark, poor condition stairwell hacked into the rock. There are good views down the valley from the top of the 70 metre high donjon, if your nerve holds out!

The village which developed around the castle is also picturesque, with the quiet river Lède passing through the centre of the village and some ancient houses to admire - there are two substantial houses right on the river in Gavaudun: one opposite the castle entrance and the other a little downstream at the exit of the village. The small Church of Laurenque dates from the same period.

The Savonnerie "Saponaire" shop, decorated with old furniture and ofcourse a wide variety of hand produced healthy shapes, kinds and forms of soap.

Photo: Elegant decorated French soap shop - by © Richard Poppelaars #About_Pixels #Photography (Nikon D7200) / #shop #savon #soap - #urban / #Shopping at #SavonnerieSaponaire in #Monflanquin, #LotetGaronne - #France

Savonnerie Saponaire (since 2006), photo July 2017 after 11 years.

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Monflanquin: Shopping

Monflanquin, a very nice small village in the Lot-et-Garonne department in south-western France. Built in 1256 as a military bastide town on a strategic north-south route. The village is a member of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France ("The most beautiful villages of France") association.

Info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monflanquin.

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Published at - Flickr

M2081S-1028

Je passais en voiture quand ce paysage s'est présenté. Heureusement j'avais mon appareil photo avec moi. J'ai pu prendre quelques photos et voici ma préférée. Le jeu des lumières sur ce paysage du Lot-et-Garonne avec les couleurs de l'automne sont irrésistibles. Le village dans la lumière est Monflanquin, une bastide médiévale comme il y en a dans notre région. Sa particularité est d'occuper une colline dominante.