Le château et la nature : actes des Rencontres d'archéologie et d'histoire en Périgord les 24, 25 et 26 septembre 2004

It may appear surprising that we did not dedicate a conference on the relations between castles and nature from the Middle Ages to modern times sooner, as part of our Rencontres d’Archéologie et d’Histoire en Périgord. Weren’t these relations constitutive of the development and establishment of castles of all sizes in all places and during all times? Eventually, this delayed approach had its reasons, which the conference progressively highlighted. Shouldn’t we take interest in the castle’s functions and its role to better appreciate the decoration, the landscape, and the rural and village fabric that make it an exceptional monument, enterprise, and living environment?