Located in the heart of the Pyrenees-Orientales, on a rocky hill with steep walls, the castle of Castelnou dominates the eponymous village of its impressive pentagon-shaped silhouette with two right-angled sides.
Although the foundations of its ramparts date back to the 11th century, the building was largely restored in the 19th century, changing somewhat its original appearance. Originally the seat of the county power of Besalu en Vallespir, it knows many assaults over the centuries, including the troops of James II of Mallorca during the Crusade of Aragon or the troops of the Governor of Roussillon at the end of Fifteenth century.
Acquired in 2018, it is currently undergoing a major restoration campaign and is expected to reopen to the public in 2020.
