Chateau Beynac looms over the Dordogne river facing Chateau Castelnaud on the opposite bank. The chateau has been a home and a fortress at different times since its 12th century beginnings.

While touring the place you can see the improvements and modifications of many different eras of occupation. There are frescoes from the 15th century as well as a beautiful 17th century stairway. There are also many impressive bedrooms and sitting areas throughout the building.

For all of its improvements both in beauty and defenses it could not hold off Richard the Lionheart who successfully took the Chateaux by scaling the 650-foot cliff face that the Chateau is perched on. Richard the Lionheart would not hold the castle for very long, soon after his success at Beynac he was injured in an attempt to take Chateau Chalus he died shortly there after.