The Château de Peyrelade, also called Castle Peyrelade, is a ruined castle in the commune of Rivière-sur-Tarn in the Aveyron département of France. The name is derived from the occitan “pèira lada”, meaning wide rock; an accurate description of the site. Built between the 12th and 16th centuries, the Château de Peyrelade constituted one of the most important fortresses in the Rouergue in the Middle Ages, thanks to the position of its natural rock-dungeon that enables it to control the Tarn valley. Over the centuries, the castle underwent various renovations and expansions, reflecting the changing needs and technologies of the time.
At the foot of the dungeon rock, sheltered from the northerly winds, lay the village of serfs and peasants. In the 12th century, 89 houses were inhabited, after which the number of inhabitants began to decline to just 4 families in 1920. The last native inhabitant left the village in 1963. In the 1970s, a number of families began restoring the houses as their main residence, and they still live there today.
Exploring the interior of the castle reveals a complex network of courtyards, chambers, and passageways. While much of the castle lies in ruins today, visitors can still marvel at the remnants of its former grandeur, including the remains of the keep, the main residence, and defensive structures.
