Forteresse Royale De Najac
Forteresse Royale De Najac
4.5
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
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4.5
601 reviews
Excellent
380
Very good
193
Average
20
Poor
4
Terrible
4
701David
Fitzroy, Australia1,013 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Najac village and fortress are quite impressive and worth a visit. Set in a forested area it has beautiful houses along the main lane leading up to the fortress. At this time of the year - March - there is not too many shops open and the fortress is close but its enjoyable without the crowds...thats why we travel out of season. Well worth a visit and there are cafes to enjoy.
Written 23 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks!
Written 1 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karen C
Derby, UK190 contributions
May 2022
Its not all about the castle. The village is beautiful. Perched on a hill with wonderful views both sides. We used the car park in the village and took a steady walk towards the castle. Lovely narrow cobbled streets with interesting buildings along the way. Homes, shops and places to eat. A view of the castle almost all the way. Mostly downhill to start then upwards to the castle. We ended up at the Eglise Saint Jean. Impressive church inside and out. Once taken in the views we headed back finding other pathways to explore, sit and enjoy the views rather than visit the castle.
A lovely lunchtime meal at L'insolite before returning to our car. Too many photos taken also. Well worth a visit.
A lovely lunchtime meal at L'insolite before returning to our car. Too many photos taken also. Well worth a visit.
Written 2 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks!
Written 4 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ravinon
New Zealand172 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
The ruins of the old fortress really speak to you as you wander around this truely impressive site. Construction started in 1120.AD and was added to in 1253.AD. It had a serious part to play in the 100 year war. It was an an amazing feat of engernering at its time...one could go on and on and I havent even mentioned the view yet. Seriously this Fortress was worth travelling from the otherside of the world for. Do your research before you arrive as its worth knowing the significant history of this site. Or buy the book "the fortress of Najac"at the tourist office and read it before you go. It is not wheelchair accessable and one should be fairly stable on their legs to get around the spiral staircases and secret halls. However we saw people of all ages enjoying thenselves here and you can still enjoy it even if you dont take on the staircase challane! No WC facilities. Guided tours are available but its easy to do by yourself with the free info sheet. Its an easy 10 to 15 min. walk from the village with just a wee bit of a hill climb to the top. A 5 euro entry fee is a bargin even with our poor exchange rate! Plan on spending between 1 to 2 hours here.
Najac is an stunning town right out of the pages of a fairy tale book. We have travelled wide and far and this beautiful village left me enthralled. We were lucky to vist in mid September and missed the crowds. It was fantastic for photography as the streets were nearly empty. Perfect!
Najac is an stunning town right out of the pages of a fairy tale book. We have travelled wide and far and this beautiful village left me enthralled. We were lucky to vist in mid September and missed the crowds. It was fantastic for photography as the streets were nearly empty. Perfect!
Written 14 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
john h
Quillan, France1,456 contributions
Jun 2020
Situated on the crest on a hill the fortress is well restored and a very informative interesting place to visit. Guides iob English are available if required.
Written 1 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you!
Written 1 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Niwotois
Saco, ME373 contributions
Sept 2019
Looking back, from Colorado, at three weeks in Spain and France, Najac was a real highlight. First a word of caution. This is a very challenging town for anyone not willing to do a lot of pretty strenuous walking up and down. This one requires a lot of leg work.
For my wife and me, the town was as much a treat as the castle.
We parked up on the very historic town square at the top of the non-castle hill. Just follow the signs for the Tourist Information center. There is (at least in late September) a lot of free parking in an interesting area. We were staying at the incredibly lovely nearby Cordes-sur-Ciel, so old stone buildings in a historic town was nothing new, but Najac has a charm all its own. From the main square, the streets to the castle wind down, down, down and then up, up. up. There are a few shops, some quite interesting, but mostly houses along the way, many of which were covered in flowers and flower boxes. The street takes you past the very interesting Palace de Gouvenour which unfortunately was closed, but still a fascinating building architecturally. Some of the houses were half-timbered. Note the roofs. Most, rather than slate, were covered with flat stones.
The castle, from the 1100s is partially in ruins. Most of the outer walls were 'borrowed' by the townspeople for house building materials. What is left is choice. The remaining inner walls and keep are fantastic and the climb to the tower definitely is worth it for the views over the town and nearby church. The circular stairs to the tower are quite narrow. Do note the hours for the castle. They are serious about closing time.
The walk back to the town square is as interesting as to the castle. Winding down and back up you see everything from a very different viewpoint. This really is a lovely ancient town.
Reward yourself for all your hard walking with a beer or wine (or cider) and light meal at Salamander, just before you get back to the square. Nice seating outside and friendly help.
Najac is a must-see.
For my wife and me, the town was as much a treat as the castle.
We parked up on the very historic town square at the top of the non-castle hill. Just follow the signs for the Tourist Information center. There is (at least in late September) a lot of free parking in an interesting area. We were staying at the incredibly lovely nearby Cordes-sur-Ciel, so old stone buildings in a historic town was nothing new, but Najac has a charm all its own. From the main square, the streets to the castle wind down, down, down and then up, up. up. There are a few shops, some quite interesting, but mostly houses along the way, many of which were covered in flowers and flower boxes. The street takes you past the very interesting Palace de Gouvenour which unfortunately was closed, but still a fascinating building architecturally. Some of the houses were half-timbered. Note the roofs. Most, rather than slate, were covered with flat stones.
The castle, from the 1100s is partially in ruins. Most of the outer walls were 'borrowed' by the townspeople for house building materials. What is left is choice. The remaining inner walls and keep are fantastic and the climb to the tower definitely is worth it for the views over the town and nearby church. The circular stairs to the tower are quite narrow. Do note the hours for the castle. They are serious about closing time.
The walk back to the town square is as interesting as to the castle. Winding down and back up you see everything from a very different viewpoint. This really is a lovely ancient town.
Reward yourself for all your hard walking with a beer or wine (or cider) and light meal at Salamander, just before you get back to the square. Nice seating outside and friendly help.
Najac is a must-see.
Written 4 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gugongee
Seoul, South Korea1,982 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
This fortress lured me from my country into the deep southern France.
In winter it was not busy season, but it took only 1 and half hour from Toulouse by train.
I arrived at gare de Najac late in the evening. It was so dark. What I didn't know that the town is the much higher than the station. It seemed 30 mins by walking to the town.Even worse, it was raining!
I had no choice but to go up to the town where my B&B is. There were few light on the street. Several cars passed by me. I was like being on a horror movie (or Scare tactics!)
Having walking 15 mins from the station, a kind woman stopped her car and took me to my B&B. Thanks Valerie!
At last before sun rising the next day, I could see the fortress, that made me forget about yesterday's suffering~ haha
If the weather helps, there's fog just beneath the fortress.
Anyway, there's nothing like this~
I'll be back!
In winter it was not busy season, but it took only 1 and half hour from Toulouse by train.
I arrived at gare de Najac late in the evening. It was so dark. What I didn't know that the town is the much higher than the station. It seemed 30 mins by walking to the town.Even worse, it was raining!
I had no choice but to go up to the town where my B&B is. There were few light on the street. Several cars passed by me. I was like being on a horror movie (or Scare tactics!)
Having walking 15 mins from the station, a kind woman stopped her car and took me to my B&B. Thanks Valerie!
At last before sun rising the next day, I could see the fortress, that made me forget about yesterday's suffering~ haha
If the weather helps, there's fog just beneath the fortress.
Anyway, there's nothing like this~
I'll be back!
Written 20 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
globalartlover
Washington, D.C.125 contributions
May 2019
This impregnable fortress is truly at the top of my list. Have visited several times. One of the most extraordinary views from the top: not only of the valley but the village of Najac built on a precipice, snaking along the top. Inside models and explanations of military history. well worth the stop if you are passing through. a good walk through the village from end to end also reveals wonderfully unique views of the fortress....not to be missed
Written 15 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer K
Tulsa, OK16 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Our family of 3, including our 12 year old daughter, toured the fortress and spent about an hour here. We do not speak French, so were provided a laminated tour brochure that we returned to the desk when we departed. We also visited the church that is at the base of the fortress and were given a brochure about monks who made and sold cheese. We also toured there, which was about 15 minutes from the fortress, so the fortress, church, and monks who sold cheese made for a nice afternoon tour.
Written 10 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jean-Marc J
London, England, United Kingdom89 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
All along the Aveyron River are a number of castles built to defend the river. Some were built by the English. Some are open to the public, others in private hand and all in various stages of restoration or dilapidation. None is more impressive or magnificent than Najac. The views from the beautiful village built on a ridge leading up to the castle are simply breathtaking as are the views from the castle itself. A word of warning - you need a good head for heights and a tight grip on your children. Below the castle is a beautiful and classic Romanesque church - one of the best of its type anywhere. The village has a number of eateries but nothing to write home about in terms of food though you can get a reasonable setback frites and local rosé.
Written 29 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pepperman92
Keller, TX102 contributions
Apr 2013 • Friends
I have done a lot of sight seeing in France and have visited many castles. Najac is of historical significance but as far as the structure itself goes there are others in the vicinity which I find more interesting and enjoyable. The views of the village and countryside are worth the trip and the price is certainly reasonable.
If you have a chance visit another small village called Belcastel which is not too far from Najac and has a remarkably restored castle and some of the nicest people you will ever meet.
If you have a chance visit another small village called Belcastel which is not too far from Najac and has a remarkably restored castle and some of the nicest people you will ever meet.
Written 9 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi
How long does it take to completely visit Najac? 3 hours? Thanks
Written 15 August 2019
We were there in the summer & I'm sure dogs were admitted 😊🐕
Written 25 September 2019
Bonjour, est ce que quelqu'un pourrait me dire combien de temps dure la visite de cette forteresse svp ? Merci d'avance
Written 7 July 2018
le temps que vous voulez 30min à 2H voir plus si affinité
Written 8 July 2018
¿Desde la estación de Najac al pueblo no hay otro medio de transporte? ¿La subida de hace por camino peatonal? Gracias
Written 11 March 2018
Hola, Nuria! Creo que no hay transporte público para hacer la subida al precioso pueblo medieval de Najac, pero sí se puede hacer en auto, hay un camino por donde pueden circular los vehpiculos y también se puede ir a pie. Te aclaro que nosotros lo hicimos a pie y no presenta grandes dificultades (siemrpe que no tengas problemas de movilidad) ya que la pendiente es suave. Hemos visto que parecía haber un atajo si se subía por un sendero más empinado entre los arbustos (atajo hecho por el público) pero no quisimos intentar ir por él, sino que fuimos a lo seguro. No es tan largo y es fácil de subir. Espero haberte ayudado.
Written 12 March 2018
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