Hamel Castle

Château du Hamel is a château in the commune of Castets-en-Dorthe in the Gironde département of France.

History of Hamel Castle

The castle is situated in the town of Castets et Castillion in Gironde, and dominates the Garonne from its strategic hillside location. The present building was constructed under the authorisation of the King of England Edward II in the mid-16th century on the remains of a 14th century fortress built by Raymong Guilhem of Goth, the nephew of Pope Clement V.

During the Hundred Years’ War, French commander Du Guesclin took over the castle from the English. It underwent many transformations in the 16th and 17th centuries, including the distinctive triangular bastions which face the town.

The castle takes its name from Charles du Hamel who acquired its feudal lordship in 1697, and has remained in the same family since. Its architecture combines feudal and Renaissance styles.

Hamel Castle Today

All that remains of this earlier structure is the base of the keep on the eastern side, seen in the interior as a heptagonal vaulted room. The château is privately owned, though guided tours are available by appointment from Easter to All Saints’ Day at a cost of five euro.

It has been listed since 1963 as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture

Getting to Hamel Castle

The closest city is Bordeaux, which is an hour drive away via the A62.