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 and 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.
| Prices | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|
| Individual adult free visit |
7 € | Not disclosed |
| General public group |
5,50 € | Not disclosed |
| Individual adult guided tour |
7 € | Not disclosed |
| Individual child free visit |
5,50 € | Not disclosed |
| Individual child guided tour |
5,50 € | Not disclosed |
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?
The monument is best viewed from the village's main street, in a perspective worthy of a film shot. Discover other viewpoints of the village and its fortress on our Najac Viewpoints page.
History of the Najac fortress
Najac: strategic issue for the Counts of Toulouse…
The Fortress of Najac , famous in the Southwest, was built to defend Rouergue when the Counts of Toulouse chose Najac as the capital of Lower Rouergue.
In the 12th century, a first fortress, of simple and square design, was built on the site of an old lord's tower. Najac became the main position of the defensive line built along the Aveyron.
In 1249, upon the death of Count Raymond VII, his son-in-law Alphonse of Poitiers , brother of King Saint Louis, succeeded him. The region, including Najac, revolted for several months. The new count then decided, in order to consolidate his power and demonstrate his strength, to significantly reinforce the existing military fortifications.
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'll be impressed by the high walls and the 6,80-meter arrow slits , the tallest in the world! From the keep , admire the view and its panorama over the wild Aveyron gorges . Standing nearly 40 meters high, it is a symbol of Alphonse of Poitiers' power 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 imprisoned there. Sold as national property, it was partially exploited as a stone quarry. Purchased in 1906 by Alfred Cibiel, the fortress was saved from ruin and remains in the same family today.
