When was Belzunce castle built?

The castle was built in the thirteenth century and underwent a second construction phase in the sixteenth century before being gradually abandoned.

Why is the castle in ruins?

After being confiscated as national property during the Revolution, the site was used as a stone quarry, which led to the loss of much of the structure.

What is the connection between the castle and François de Belzunce?

François de Belzunce, from the Belzunce family that owned the castle, became bishop of Marseille in the early eighteenth century.

Château de Belzunce

Belzunce Castle

Ayherre

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Ayherre

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Château de Camou (Camou Castle)juillet et août18 km

Sleep nearby

This week in the agenda

Visite guidée : Au coeur des remparts parcours Grand BayonneTue, Nov 10 · château-Vieux de Bayonne23 km

Château de Belzunce stands in Ayherre (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 13th century, 14th century, 16th century). The building is privately owned and no visits are on record.

Belzunce castle is a medieval fortress from the thirteenth century, built on a trapezoidal plan and reinforced with four towers. Its architecture reflects two successive building phases: the original medieval period and renovations during the sixteenth century. Now in ruins, it preserves the imprint of its past as a stronghold in the Basque country and remains linked to the history of the Belzunce family, one of whose members became bishop of Marseille in the early eighteenth century.

What to know

The site has been listed as a historical monument since 1992, including the castle as well as the land and subsoil of adjacent plots.
The building was partially demolished over the centuries, particularly after its acquisition as national property during the Revolution, when it was used as a stone quarry.
The fortifications and auxiliary buildings that once surrounded it now survive only as foundation remains.

Where this château is

Ayherre · Pyrénées-Atlantiques · Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Map of the area around Château de Belzunce

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Ayherre, Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00084558
Period of construction: 13th century, 14th century, 16th century

Frequently asked

When was Belzunce castle built?: The castle was built in the thirteenth century and underwent a second construction phase in the sixteenth century before being gradually abandoned.
Why is the castle in ruins?: After being confiscated as national property during the Revolution, the site was used as a stone quarry, which led to the loss of much of the structure.
What is the connection between the castle and François de Belzunce?: François de Belzunce, from the Belzunce family that owned the castle, became bishop of Marseille in the early eighteenth century.