Château de Commarque

The site's settlement began over 17,000 years ago, as evidenced by cave drawings of horses and ibex. In the Neolithic period and later in the troglodytic era, people used natural rock shelters and carved dwellings into the steep cliffs. In the 12th century, the construction of the first stone towers began, with the Commarque and Beynac families among the early builders. The settlement developed into a self-sufficient fortress in the 12th and 13th centuries, featuring knightly castles, residences, workshops, and stables. Despite common defense, there were also internal demarcations between the noble residences. Pons de Beynac united the fiefdoms of Beynac and Commarque through marriage and expanded his possessions. Since 1968, Hubert de Commarque, a descendant of the original family, has been dedicated to uncovering and securing the ruins reclaimed by nature. These efforts have been supported by the French state since 1980.

Château de Commarque is located in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil in the Dordogne department, Aquitaine region, France, at an elevation of approximately 109 meters above sea level.

The castle ruin is now accessible to visitors and offers insights into its long history. Visitors can explore the remains of the guard post hall, the foundations of the Romanesque keep, the Saint-Jean chapel with its choir and the coats of arms of Pons de Beynac, as well as the various tower houses and knightly residences. Particularly noteworthy is the double keep of the Beynac residence, consisting of a Romanesque and a Gothic tower.

• Château de Tayac (castle), approx. 7.0 km away
• Château de Roucaudou (château), approx. 8.4 km away
• Château de Cap del Roc (castle), approx. 9.4 km away
• Château de Losse (castle), approx. 10.0 km away