Cruas Castle

Overlooking the medieval village and the abbey below, the Château de Cruas is a veritable fortress, a refuge for monks in troubled times.

A medieval site

Cruas Castle

The Château de Cruas in the Ardèche is a historic jewel from the medieval era. Nestling on the banks of the Rhône, this fortified castle offers unbeatable views and is a must-see site. History and architecture leave their mark here. Built in the 11th century, it has been an important defensive bastion and seigneurial residence over the centuries. Visitors can explore its imposing towers, well-preserved ramparts and discover the fascinating history of the region. Château de Cruas is renowned for its Romanesque architecture and richly decorated interior rooms. Immerse yourself in the captivating medieval past of the Ardèche. Open to the public, the Château de Cruas attracts many visitors every year in search of authenticity.

The large 12th century Romanesque chapel was fortified in the 14th century with the construction of corner turrets, bretèches and machicolations crowned with battlements. These wise precautions enabled the monks to withstand several memorable sieges during the Wars of Religion. In 1574, 1585, 1628 and 1683, they successfully resisted the assaults led by the Huguenots, who nevertheless held all the neighbouring towns.

Rehabilitation of the old village

The Municipality of Cruas has owned the entire medieval site for a number of years now, and as part of its efforts to promote its heritage, it has begun to restore the old village, a rather ambitious project that will take around thirty years to complete.

Route to Cruas castle

You’ll need just over an hour by car to get to the chateau des moines from the Mas de la Fontenette, a 4-star gite with heated swimming pool in the Ardèche.