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Despite its medieval appearance, the village of Beynac is very much older in origin. To control this part of the Dordogne valley, a Bronze Age population occupied the site as early as the 10th and 9th centuries B.C.
Next came the Gauls, likewise with an eye on controlling trade, particularly in wine imports from Italy. The château dates from the 12th century, its square tower doubtless designed to watch the Dordogne when the Viking longboats got this far up-river, sowing terror throughout the region.
When the Comté (County) of Périgord was established, Beynac became one of its four “baronies” along with Biron, Bourdeilles and Mareuil. The castle resisted all attacks until finally falling to Richard the Lionheart and then Simon de Montfort in the 12th and 13th centuries. In the shadow of the fortress, the village spread around walls guarded by fortified gates.
Several different quarters were established: the “barri de la Cafourque”, “barri del Soucy” (mainly occupied by weavers), and the port area, which thrived until the late 19th century, an important stopover for the boatmen bringing cask wood, cereals and other merchandise down-river.
Commerce, fishing, agriculture, hemp cultivation and building construction (in stone and wood) flourished from the French Revolution in 1789 until the middle of the 19th century. On August 15, 1827, the hamlet of Cazenac, 5km away, was formally attached to Beynac by the local Prefect, a decision ratified by royal ordinance.
Classed as one of the loveliest villages in France, Beynac is a delight to visit. Meander through its ancient little streets and tiny squares, pass round the castle walls to the medieval chapel, catch your breath with the superb panorama over the valley, and see the fascinating Archaeological Park. There are craftsmen and attractive shops, good restaurants, and boat trips along the Dordogne. Like the artist Pissarro, the poet Paul Eluard and the author Henry Miller, you may well decide that Beynac isn’t just a place to visit but to stay in.

http://www.cc-perigord-noir.fr/gb/villages/Beynac.htm