BONAGUIL

. Located on a promontory of rocks that have broken from a plateau, the castle of Bonaguil (Agenais) is encircled by the valley of the Theze and Lemance. The promontory offers protection for the castle except on the north side, where it is still attached to the plateau. Bonaguil’s history dates back to the 13th century, to a frontier post that probably became the north section of the existing pentagonal keep. The castle came into the possession of the powerful Roquefeuil family in the 15th century and was remodeled ca. 1480 to resist cannon. To the north, its walls are more than 13 feet thick. Its transformation manifested the family’s “will to power.” Between 1445 and 1482 and under the direction of Jean de Roquefeuil, the keep became a structure with a ground floor and two stories, illuminated by immense windows and furnished with fireplaces. A crenellated parapet bordered the roof. Stairs cut into the stone provided access to the fortress. Thereafter, Jean’s sons Berengier and Brigon continued adding buildings, towers (most notably a 30-foot square tower), and levered bridges. The principal entrance was changed from the west to the north side of the castle.

E. Kay Harris

Lauzin, P. Le chateau de Bonaguil en Agenais: description et histoire. 2nd ed. Paris: Champion, 1884.

Marboutin, C. “Bonaguil.” Congres archeologique (Figeac, Cahors, Rodez) (1937).

Pons, M. Bonaguil, chateau de reve: essai surle chateau de Bonaguil dans le Haut-Agenais. Toulouse: Privat, 1959.