The Ancienne église Saint-Clair du Vieux-Castel was united with the Saint-Cyprien Abbey in 1309. Its choir features sculpted capitals with winged monsters, as well as seven arcades supported by small columns and decorated with foliage motifs.
Culture and history
The Eglise Saint Martin dates from the 12th and 14th centuries and is listed in the heritage inventory. The Eglise Saint Pierre-es-liens dates from the 12th and 13th centuries and has been extensively restored inside.
At Château d’Argentonesse, the upper part is a 19th-century Renaissance structure resting on the vaults of a former 14th-century château. A 55-metre-long terrace also runs there, and two square towers are attached to the château. During the Second World War, Château d’Argentonesse served as a hiding place for Jewish families and as a meeting place for the Resistance.
The “Circuit des églises” church trail focuses on the architectural and historical features and furnishings of churches. The pilgrimage to the Chapelle des apparitions de Redon Espic was held annually on 8 September from 1815 onwards.
Renting a holiday apartment in Castels can be part of your personal travel planning.
Landscape and trails
Font-chaude is a hot sulphur spring in Castels et Bézenac that has been known since Gallo-Roman times. The Eglise Notre-Dame de Redon Espic lies deep in the forest near a spring that supplies Castels et Bézenac.
The Boucle de Bézenac is an easy circular route of 8.2 km with a stated walking time of 2 hours and 30 minutes. The Boucle de Castels is designated for horse riding, hiking and mountain biking, and offers historical as well as natural-history points of interest relating to fauna and flora.
Surroundings
The surroundings of Castels include Château des Milandes, a château; Abris de Laugerie-Basse, a prehistoric site; Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, a castle; and Les Milandes, a historic site.
Also in the surroundings of Castels are Grotte de Font-de-Gaume and Grotte des Combarelles, both caves, as well as Village troglodytique de La Madeleine, a cave. Grotte de Lascaux, a cave, is located in the wider region around Castels.
Other local pages: Saint-Avit-Saint-Nazaire, Saint-Léon-Sur-Vézère, Saint-Cernin-De-L'herm, Montignac, Saint-Victor, Marnac, Carsac-De-Gurson, Villefranche-De-Lonchat.
