How old is the fortified complex of Villard?

The earliest structures date back to the 12th century, with an enclosing wall from the 14th century and buildings added in the 15th and 16th centuries.

What can visitors see on site?

The remains of a keep, an enclosing wall with its fortified gate, an old building known as the presbytery, and a Romanesque church decorated with mural paintings.

Is the church open to visitors?

Yes, the church is part of the protected ensemble and still holds a narrative painted decoration from the 17th or 18th century in its apse vault.

How much time should be planned for the visit?

About one hour is enough to go around the whole site.

Ensemble fortifié du Villard

Chanac

Visit

Hours to be confirmed

Tickets and prices

Free for Accès gratuit toute l'année

Visit duration: 60 min
Where: Chanac

Hours and prices not verified at the source yet.

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Ensemble fortifié du Villard stands in Chanac (Lozère), in the Occitanie region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 12th century, 16th century). Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

In Chanac, in the Lozère department, the fortified complex of Villard brings together on a single esplanade the remains of a keep, an enclosing wall pierced by a fortified gate, and a Romanesque church later altered in the Gothic period. Visitors can see a painted narrative decoration from the 17th or 18th century preserved in the church's apse vault. The site layers several building phases, from the 12th century through later alterations.

Written from Ensemble fortifié du Villard

What to know

A visit to the complex takes about one hour.
The site combines outdoor remains (keep, ramparts, fortified gate) with the interior of a church open to visitors.
The whole ensemble has been a listed historic monument since 1988, including the ground and the mural paintings.
Since the site is a former fortified esplanade, sturdy footwear is useful for walking among the remains.

Practical information

Opening hours

toute l'année: accès libre
juillet et août: une visite guidée en juillet et une en août, inscription obligatoire auprès de l'office de tourisme de Chanac au 04 66 17 25 90, places limitées

Prices

Free for Accès gratuit toute l'année

Visit duration: 60 min
Wheelchair access: Not verified
Dogs: Not verified
Parking: Not verified

Where this château is

Chanac · Lozère · Occitanie

Map of the area around Ensemble fortifié du Villard

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Le Villard, 48230 Chanac

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

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4.4 / 5from 9 Google reviews

Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00103812
Period of construction: 12th century, 16th century

In pictures

Frequently asked

Ensemble fortifié du Villard: how much is admission?: Free for: accès gratuit toute l'année.
How old is the fortified complex of Villard?: The earliest structures date back to the 12th century, with an enclosing wall from the 14th century and buildings added in the 15th and 16th centuries.
What can visitors see on site?: The remains of a keep, an enclosing wall with its fortified gate, an old building known as the presbytery, and a Romanesque church decorated with mural paintings.
Is the church open to visitors?: Yes, the church is part of the protected ensemble and still holds a narrative painted decoration from the 17th or 18th century in its apse vault.
How much time should be planned for the visit?: About one hour is enough to go around the whole site.