Ventadour Castle stands on Rolandy Rock, a 70 meter high spur, above the confluence of the Ardèche and Fontaulière rivers, in the town of Meyras.
Its original name is "castle of Meyras". In the 19th century, it took the name of one of the most powerful families who last inhabited it, the Dukes of Ventadour
It was brutally dismantled around the 1700s, surely to avoid serving as a refuge for bands armies hostile to the king, after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes.
Until the Revolution, it will slowly deteriorate. It will be sold at this time as national property and will serve as a stone quarry, like many other monuments. Then will begin a long agony.
In 1968, Pierre Pottier, a former fitter from Aisne, fell in love with Ventadour.
With the amount of a prize "Masterpieces in Danger" (the famous TV show), he acquires the castle to restore it and plans to make it a cultural and educational place dedicated to the Middle Ages, architecture, stone crafts…
There remained only ruins invaded by devouring vegetation. An association is created to save and rebuild it. A youth camp is set up every summer…
This is the start of a wonderful adventure that we invite you to visit…
Since 1969, nearly 7,000 volunteers have taken part in the restitution, who is currently at more than 4/5ths. Many young people have found their vocation there as architects, public works engineers, or companions of duty in carpentry and stone cutting.
The castle is open to visitors during the summer from the beginning of July to mid-August. Monday to Friday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Saturday. Medieval entertainment on Sundays.
