Tarascon and Beaucaire Castles

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Geo: 43.808, 4.66217

Today was a quieter day, with the focus being on visiting the two castles within walking distance of our flat.

Beaucaire is located on the Rhone River, and to start the day we walked across the bridge to visit the castle at Tarascon. The location of the castle in Tarascon had since 843 AD been a place of strategic importance, housing a series of fortifications. Louis III commenced construction of the current castle in 1400 AD. In subsequent centuries it served as a Mint and a Prison. The castle is both a fortress and a palace, although it is not furnished in the manner of some of the palaces and chateaus we have visited.

It was a very interesting castle to visit.

After visiting the castle, we went to our favourite French Restaurant in Tarascon for lunch.

We walked back to the flat for a cool drink and a rest, and then walked up the hill to visit Beaucaire Castle. Unfortunately, we arrived just as the castle was closing, but we were still able to get a lot of photos of the castle and gardens. Beaucaire Castle is unusual in that it has a triangular tower overlooking the inner castle area.

Tomorrow we are off to Cassis on the Mediterannean Coast for a swim and possibly a paddle in a sea kayak. Looking forward to cooling off in the sea after the hot weather we have been experiencing.

Jim and Kim

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Photos

Tarascon Castle
Photo taken from the bridge separating Beaucaire and Tarascon.

Beaucaire Castle
Looking back to Beaucaire Castle from Tarascon Castle.

Our Flat in Beaucaire
Looking back across the Rhone River from the top of Tarascon castle to our flat in Beaucaire (our flat is the one in the middle of the photo, the lowest of the two arches).

Gargoyle on Tarascon Castle
One of the many gargoyles that adorn the castle. Gargoyles serve two purposes:- firstly to drain water from the rooftops (note the drain on top of the gargoyle) and away from the castle walls to avoid erosion of the walls. Secondly, they acted as shields to keep away evil, which is why they are often grotesque in design.

El Tarasque
This is the "beast" supposedly slain by St Martha in Tarascon, that lived in the Rhone River and regularly devoured inhabitants of the villages located on the Rhone.