Château de Pruines
The Château de Pruines is a castle in the French commune of Pruines in the Aveyron département.
The castle dates from the 15th century. Built in local red sandstone it consists of several parts: a main building, a tower and a stable. In the 16th century, interior work was undertaken to make the castle more comfortable. The ceiling, dating from the 17th century, has very colourful paintwork and sculpture.
The castle was the property of the Arjac-Solages family in the 15th century, then the Bancalis in the 17th century. It was sold to the town and became the mairie and a public school until 1964.
Between 1974 and 1999 it was renovated by a private owner who made it into an auberge de jeunesse (youth hostel) and organised craft courses. Today, privately owned, the castle has been restored and furnished in period style; the kitchen includes a collection of ancient pottery and magnificent copper utensils. The Château de Pruines is one of a group of 23 castles in Aveyron who have joined together to provide a tourist itinerary as La Route des Seigneurs du Rouergue.
See also
- Pruines French Wikipedia article on town
- List of castles in France
External links
- Château de Pruines on l'Aveyron département website (French)
- Route des Seigneurs du Rouergue website, with photos (English)
Sources
- MAZARS, Jacky & ROLLAND, François Pruines et Prunols, l'histoire d'un village du Rouergue à travers les siècles l'Association des Amis de Pruines (French)
Coordinates: 44°31′46.5″N 2°30′12.5″E / 44.529583°N 2.503472°E