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Origin and history

Benauge Castle is a medieval fortress built on the town of Porte-de-Benauge, Gironde, New Aquitaine. Occupying the top of a castral mot, it combines ditches, vallum, lices, terraces, a dungeon, a chapel and two enclosures reinforced with towers. Accessible by a gate tower with a harrow and an assommoir, it illustrates the art of fortification in Aquitaine and is one of the most important fortresses of Gironde.

A historical residence of the Viscounts then Counts of Benauges, the castle is linked to the natural region of the Entre-deux-Mers and the Gascony since at least the thirteenth century. He was besieged in 1253 by Henry III of England, Duke of Aquitaine, then held by the rebel noble Bernard of Bouville. The fortress then changed hands, passing to the families of Grailly (pro-English during the Hundred Years' War), to the Dukes of Epernon (early 17th century), and then to the Journu (XX century).

Modified in the 17th and 18th centuries, the castle suffered damage during the Revolution. It was listed as a Historic Monument in 1995, protecting its vallum, lilies, terraces, floor and basement. Its architecture reflects successive changes while maintaining its medieval defensive character, witness to the conflicts between the kingdoms of France and England.

The Viscount of Benauges, whose castle was the seat of the 11th century, belonged to the houses of Gabarret, Bouville, then Grailly from 1266. Jean de Grailly, a prominent figure, began his construction at the end of the thirteenth century. The heirs (Foix-Candale, Dukes of Epernon) continued their strategic role until the modern era.

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