Château de Beynac

Perched precariously on a cliff overlooking the Dordogne river, the Château de Beynac is one of the best preserved castles in this part of France. Built in the middle ages it looks like a castle that may have kept a prisoner in the attic, sandstone, and austere, but with lovely crenelated towers that give it a romantic feel as well – maybe this is where Rapunzel was kept by the witch?

The location makes a lot of sense – there's no way you could attack that cliff in the 12th Century when the castle was built, and the plateau on the other side is built up with a double barbican for extra protection. On one side a 14th Century residence has been added, which was redone in the 18th Century with lovely wood panelling, frescos and ornate fireplaces. Which would have made poor Rapunzel feel like a properly tragic heroine. Château de Beynac was used as a location for the film 'Ever After' in 1998, in 'Jeanne d'Arc' by Luc Besson in 1999 and in 'Chocolat' in 2000.