The origins of Castelnau are in the eleventh century or earlier. It is one of the finest examples of a military castle in France. Like many historic buildings in this area it is illuminated at night.

Marie France found some papers in the attic of the small gite which were records of the payment of rents or duties to the lords of the castle in the early 1600's. Typically a castle depended upon getting a share of the production of all of the surrounding farms.

There is a good restaurant, Le Remparts, located on the terraced land in front of the castle. We had just finished dinner at Le Remparts when Reid took this photo.

While walking around Castelnau we came upon this antique car in a tobacco barn. Farmers in the area around Puymule grow several crops including tobacco. By this time of the year they have harvested most of the leaves and hung them in sheds for drying. This particular shed also contained an antique car. Photo by Michael.