Situated in the heart of the Haut Dadou valley in the Tarn department, Château de La Roque, renamed Castelroc by its owners, dominates this small, wild valley, where the sound of water lulls you into reverie and the peaceful chirping of birds echoes.The play of light and shadow through the stone walls and natural vegetation makes this an authentic place to marvel at.
To date, written sources do not allow us to date the castle's construction with any certainty or precision. However, recent research, field surveys, initial building studies and comparisons with other sites suggest that the tower was erected between the 11th and 12th centuries, while the surrounding walls were built between the 12th and 13th centuries.
This monument, forgotten for 3 centuries and partly obscured by vegetation, could not be allowed to fall forever into oblivion. For this reason, a handful of determined volunteers had the ambition and the will to revive this precious monument to our history.The château has risen from the ashes thanks to the Castelroc en Arifadès association, founded in 2016 by owners Béatrice and Laurent, who are passionate about the legends surrounding medieval castles.
The association brings together volunteers from a variety of complementary backgrounds: historians, stonemasons, architects, craftsmen, students, archaeologists, engineers, farmers, sculptors and graphic designers. They all have one thing in common: they're castle "addicts"!They thrill to the idea of making an extraordinary discovery, they dream of tales and legends, they love nature and the outdoor life, they travel through the ages, history and poetry, and they work with strength, courage and vigor.
The association and its volunteers work in collaboration with a professional archaeology firm and the French government to preserve this important local heritage.The latest historical research bears witness to the use of the site by the Cathars at the time of the Crusade against the Albigensians. Research and studies continue as the many mysteries remain to be uncovered...
Castelroc, located on the edge of the Parc Régional du Haut Languedoc, just a stone's throw from the Episcopal City of Albi, lies in the upper Dadou valley. We're proud of our territory and love to share it with as many people as possible. Our history is rooted in the Occitanie of ancient times, and we invite you to join us in a journey back to the "rough" Middle Ages.
Travel back 800 years to the year 1221!
Our association is committed to working for the built and natural heritage that is our shared capital of beauty. This was the reason for its creation and remains a fundamental element of its achievements.
Since its creation, the association has carried out a study of the archaeology of the building, with the support of a specialized archaeology consultancy, the CDATarchaeological firm, CDAT - Conseil Départemental d'Archéologie du Tarn and SRA - Service Régional d'Archéologie (DRAC Occitanie).
Education at Castelroc is linked to the enrichment of knowledge, which is achieved by learning about the history of the site and the region where the work takes place. The enrichment of techniques is achieved on the job, by handling trowels and rubble, slate or carpentry, instead of pens or theories. The enrichment of communal life is achieved in the life of the site team itself, and through the relationships that are forged, or need to be forged, with the local population.
Working for citizenship and social cohesion translates into a dynamic, a commitment, an assumption of responsibility. Exercising one's citizenship means having or taking one's place in the territory, the region, the country... within the community of volunteers to which one belongs. Citizenship and social cohesion refer to the group, responsibility, solidarity, benevolence and mutual respect of the individuals who make it up.
Accessible from age 17 Woodworking and traditional masonry site (no. 2) at Castelroc medieval castle The heritage site The Château de La Roque site is located in the heart of the Tarn department, in the...
Accessible from age 17 Between archaeological activities, woodworking and blacksmithing, take part in the maintenance and animation of the Ducal Tower of Siedlęcin, a medieval tower in south-west...
Accessible from age 17 Woodworking and traditional masonry site (n°1) at Castelroc medieval castle The heritage site The Château de La Roque site is located in the heart of the Tarn department, in the...
Take part in Castelroc Adventure! Join us for a workcamp in the heart of the magnificent medieval château de la Roque! Medieval Château de La Roque built between the 11th and 12th...
