Château de Saint-Alban, Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole, France

The first mention of the Château de Saint-Alban dates back to 1188. It was besieged several times during the Hundred Years' War. The three existing towers were added in the 15th century. Since 1824 the castle has been used as psychiatric center.

User Reviews

Yves Molter (3 years ago)
Unusual and very calm place, suitable for rest. A very warm welcome from the owner. When we arrived, we were treated to a flute of rosé champagne. The establishment has a very nice swimming pool. What about the evening meal, simply worthy of a starred restaurant. If you are passing through Lozère, a magnificent department that we love, come and spend one or more nights at Relais St Rock which is a standing establishment.

Nathalie Staerlé (4 years ago)
Très bon accueil avec une coupe de champagne malgré notre arrivé tardive à 21h30 . Propriétaire très gentil et serviable. Très belle endroit au calme. Piscine super dans un beau jardin. Il mérite amplement cesTrois Étoiles et même limite un 4 étoiles car en comparaison avec d'autres 3 étoiles il est bien au dessus. Seul petit bémol pour moi c'est la déco ancienne, mais c'est le style château (mon mari lui a adoré cette déco...)

Anne Millet (4 years ago)
Acueil adorable, endroit calme et charmant

אמנון לנגי (4 years ago)
קבוצה של 13 איש מצרפת, איטליה וישראל. היינו במלון לילה אחד ב 7 ביוני 2018. מלון ברמה גבוהה מאוד עם מסעדה מצוינת. המבנה והחדרים בעיצוב גותי עם בריכה וגן נפלאים מסביב. הבעלים כריסטיאן ואשתו נותנים הרגשה ביתית. המלון לא זול, אבל זאת חוויה מיוחדת. שכחנו כמה פריטים במלון והבעלים דאגו לשלוח לנו את זה הביתה! כל הכבוד. ממליץ בחום.

Aldebert Laetitia (4 years ago)
Découverte de la viande de bisons. Viande très fine. Et bon accueil

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The two-tiered Roman amphitheatre is probably the most prominent tourist attraction in the city of Arles, which thrived in Roman times. Built in 90 AD, the amphitheatre was capable of seating over 20,000 spectators, and was built to provide entertainment in the form of chariot races and bloody hand-to-hand battles. Today, it draws large crowds for bullfighting as well as plays and concerts in summer.

The building measures 136 m in length and 109 m wide, and features 120 arches. It has an oval arena surrounded by terraces, arcades on two levels (60 in all), bleachers, a system of galleries, drainage system in many corridors of access and staircases for a quick exit from the crowd. It was obviously inspired by the Colosseum in Rome (in 72-80), being built slightly later (in 90).

With the fall of the Empire in the 5th century, the amphitheatre became a shelter for the population and was transformed into a fortress with four towers (the southern tower is not restored). The structure encircled more than 200 houses, becoming a real town, with its public square built in the centre of the arena and two chapels, one in the centre of the building, and another one at the base of the west tower.

This new residential role continued until the late 18th century, and in 1825 through the initiative of the writer Prosper Mérimée, the change to national historical monument began. In 1826, expropriation began of the houses built within the building, which ended by 1830 when the first event was organized in the arena - a race of the bulls to celebrate the taking of Algiers.

Arles Amphitheatre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with other Roman buildings of the city, as part of the Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments group.

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