Set off to attack the impressive royal fortress of Najac! Perched above the gorges of Aveyron, this building will take you back to the time of Cathar struggles and other historical battles.

Visit the Najac fortress

Follow the guide to climb the keep and its three superimposed rooms of beautiful Gothic style. Halfway up, the Saint-Julien chapel shows remains of 13th century frescoes and many companion marks. A secret passage in the thickness of the wall connects it to the Governor's room who was in charge of the cellar. An imposing model, with figures to scale, will allow you to take stock of the policy of deterrence implemented in the region by Alphonse de Poitiers.

The Fortress of Najac is today the monument most visited private hotel in the Midi-Pyrénées region.

In order to view the different information, you can use the navigation arrows placed to the right of the table

Opening hours from March 30 to April 30, 2024
Monday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Tuesday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Wednesday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Thursday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Friday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Saturday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Sunday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Opening hours from May 01 to June 30, 2024
Monday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Tuesday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Wednesday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Thursday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Friday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Saturday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Sunday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Opening hours from July 01 to August 31, 2024
Monday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Tuesday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Wednesday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Thursday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Friday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Saturday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Sunday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Opening hours from September 01 to September 30, 2024
Monday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Tuesday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Wednesday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Thursday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Friday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Saturday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Sunday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Opening hours from October 01 to November 03, 2024
Monday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Tuesday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Wednesday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Thursday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Friday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Saturday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Sunday Open from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Prices Min. Max.
Individual adult free visit
6.5 € -
Individual child free visit
5 € -
Individual adult guided tour
6.5 € -
Individual child guided tour
5 € -
General public group
5 € -
  • Service – Partly outdoors and partly covered
  • Audioguides
  • Shop
  • Guided group tours
  • Educational visits
  • Pet Friendly
  • Guided tours
  • Free tour

Frequently Asked Questions

How to visit the fortress?

Depending on your time of arrival at the site, you can choose between a self-guided tour or a guided tour. To better understand the place, we advise you to follow the guide (around 1 hour visit)

Please note: last visitor entry 30 minutes before closing.

How long does it take to visit the fortress?

We advise you to allow around 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes to visit the fortress.

Is the fortress easily accessible?

Please note, access to the visit site is only possible on foot via a narrow path with a steep slope. Remember to wear comfortable shoes. In summer, caps, hats and bottles of water will be welcome!

From what point of view(s) can you contemplate the fortress?

It is from the main street of the village that the monument can be seen, in a perspective worthy of a cinema shot. Discover other views of the village and its fortress on our page Viewpoints on Najac.

History of the Najac fortress

Najac: strategic issue for the Counts of Toulouse…

La Fortress of Najac, famous in the South-West, was built to defend Rouergue when the Counts of Toulouse chose Najac as capital of Bas Rouergue.

In the 12th century a first fortress, simple and square, was built on the site of an old stately tower. Najac becomes the main position of the defense line built along the Aveyron.

In 1249, on the death of Count Raimond VII, his son-in-law Alfonso of Poitiers, brother of King Saint Louis, succeeds him. The region, with Najac, rose up for a few months. The new count then decided, to establish his power and show his power, to considerably strengthen the existing military structure.

A whole subtle art of defense...

The construction site was launched in 1253, in the middle of a century which raised the military art to a very high level. 2000 workers work there. In less than 10 years will arise, on this narrow and steep spur, the "Impregnatable Fortress".

You will be impressed by the high walls and archers 6,80 meters, the highest in the world! Since keep, admire the view and its panorama on wild gorges of Aveyron. Nearly 40 meters high, it is the symbol of the power of Alphonse de Poitiers over the County of Toulouse.

Today…

After the Hundred Years War, the royal fortress served little more than as a prison until the Revolution: Templars, then Croquants in 1643, were locked up there. Sold as national property, it was partially exploited as a stone quarry. Bought in 1906 by Alfred Cibiel, the fortress was saved from ruin and today belongs to the same family.

Farm. Opens tomorrow at 10:30 p.m.

Najac Royal Fortress

castle street
12270 Najac
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Good deal: Multisite Advantage

With your entry ticket to the fortress, take advantage of discount offers to visit seven other partner sites in the area. To find out more, see our dedicated page.

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