The Explore:
I go to a lot of castles but don’t post them on here as they are tourist attractions rather than urbex. This place is a little different. Situated amongst vineyards outside of the village Budos, the castle is very much wild and not open to the public. It’s a beautiful spot and to go round such a castle in semi-dereliction was a really enjoyable experience.
The History:
Château de Budos was built by Raymond Guilhem de Budos, nephew of Pope Clement V in 1306 taking the architectural layout of the neighboring Château de Villandraut as a blueprint. In 1422 the English in the shape of King Henry VI took possession of the castle placing it under the charge of Pons, Lord of Castillon. In 1433, Henry gave the castle to his son, the Duke of Gloucester. It then passed to the Count of Foix on the death of Gloucester in 1446-47. The Budos family then regained possession, having supported the cause of the French crown. In 1652, the cavalry captain Lasserre seized Budos, sacking and burning the archives. In 1825, the castle was sold as national property and in 1851, the Gironde Commission of Historic Monuments was informed that many stones originating from the castle had been sold to a builder by the state, explaining its rather ‘slighted’ current appearance. The Château has been classified as a ‘monument historique’ since 1988.
img6791 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6762 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6764 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6789 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Does that mean don’t go in?
img6787 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Looking across the courtyard:
img6785 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Front right tower:
img6773 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Inside the front left tower:
img6768 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6769 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Back curtain wall:
img6772 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Front right tower:
img6774 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Front of the back curtain wall from the right tower:
img6776 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Back left tower:
img6778 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Looking up at the back right tower:
img6777 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Second floor fireplace:
img6780 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And one at ground level:
img6782 by HughieDW, on Flickr
I go to a lot of castles but don’t post them on here as they are tourist attractions rather than urbex. This place is a little different. Situated amongst vineyards outside of the village Budos, the castle is very much wild and not open to the public. It’s a beautiful spot and to go round such a castle in semi-dereliction was a really enjoyable experience.
The History:
Château de Budos was built by Raymond Guilhem de Budos, nephew of Pope Clement V in 1306 taking the architectural layout of the neighboring Château de Villandraut as a blueprint. In 1422 the English in the shape of King Henry VI took possession of the castle placing it under the charge of Pons, Lord of Castillon. In 1433, Henry gave the castle to his son, the Duke of Gloucester. It then passed to the Count of Foix on the death of Gloucester in 1446-47. The Budos family then regained possession, having supported the cause of the French crown. In 1652, the cavalry captain Lasserre seized Budos, sacking and burning the archives. In 1825, the castle was sold as national property and in 1851, the Gironde Commission of Historic Monuments was informed that many stones originating from the castle had been sold to a builder by the state, explaining its rather ‘slighted’ current appearance. The Château has been classified as a ‘monument historique’ since 1988.
Does that mean don’t go in?
Looking across the courtyard:
Front right tower:
Inside the front left tower:
Back curtain wall:
Front right tower:
Front of the back curtain wall from the right tower:
Back left tower:
Looking up at the back right tower:
Second floor fireplace:
And one at ground level:
