Fodor's Expert Review Château de Beaufort

At the top of the Ernz Noire valley, a short detour leads to Beaufort. Just west of the village, a splendid ruin, the Château de Beaufort, only partially restored to its 15th-century form, rises over green grounds full of sheep and forests laced with walking trails. You can step into guard towers with archers' slits, look down wells, visit the kitchen fireplace, cross a drawbridge, and ogle torture equipment, including a rack, in a dungeon. At the ticket counter, you can buy (drink) samples of the local kirsch and cassis. An easy nature walk is across the street.