The most beautiful castle visits in Périgord!

The Dordogne is castle life! Project yourself during a visit to these giants of stone and history, into the life of the lords of Périgord... Stroll along the paths of the landscaped gardens, admire the majestic views, puff out your chest and imagine yourself masters of the place! Follow us to prepare your visits to the most beautiful castles of Périgord! We tell you about the essentials, but also the lesser known, because you have to immerse yourself in all the gems of Périgord to satisfy your curiosity... Click on the links for each castle to find out more!

The must-see castles of Périgord

The Château de Castelnaud, in Castelnaud-la-Chapelle in Périgord Noir, is also a museum on warfare in the Middle Ages. It dates from the 12th century and played a key role in the 100 Years' War. It has been classified as a historic monument since 1966, it is a must-visit! In summer and during school holidays, there are medieval and costume activities, which the children love! You are in the Dordogne Valley, there are 1000 things to do nearby!

The Château de Hautefort, in Hautefort dominates 2 valleys, you can see it from afar, it is majestic and very well preserved. Formerly a medieval fortress, it is now a pleasure lodge which can be visited with a very beautiful museum. You will enjoy a walk in the French garden and the English park. The program of cultural events is interesting and you should know that it is the first eco castle to be labeled NF Environnement Visiting Sites in France!

The Château de Biron is on the borders of Périgord, just before Lot-et Garonne, it is an old barony of Périgord and the small village of Biron at its feet is very pleasant. It hosts numerous artistic and cultural exhibitions, it is a pleasant place to visit, very well preserved in a sumptuous architectural ensemble.

The Château de Commarque is in the Beune valley, not far from Les Eyzies in Périgord Noir. It dates from the 12th century and after many historical upheavals which caused it to be badly dilapidated, here it was bought in 1972 and restored with passion and know-how by Hubert de Commarque. Today, it is a place steeped in history, constantly evolving, there are new things to discover every year. It is surrounded by a very pleasant green setting, it is a pleasant family destination.

The Château de Beynac, in Beynac-et-Cazenac in the Dordogne valley, is at the top of a rocky promontory. To get there, we climb and enjoy the magnificent views of the valley. It is a real castle, as you imagine with its battlement towers, its surrounding wall, its stone stairs and its medieval keep. It is open all year round and every day.

The elegant castles of Périgord

The Château de Puyguilhem is a Renaissance style castle dating from the 16th century, it is located in Villars near Brantôme, the Venice of the Périgord Vert. It is so elegant, you would think it came out of a fairy tale. You will enjoy walking there and admiring the beautiful furniture and tapestries with which it is decorated.

The Château de Jumilhac in Périgord Vert is nestled in a superb ensemble dating from the 12th century, remodeled many times and attached to a very beautiful French garden. It is a pleasure castle, for history lovers, who like to wander from room to room, to soak up the magic of castle life.

The Château de Montréal is located in Issac, in Périgord Pourpre, not far from Mussidan. It is a private residence, which can be visited by reservation. It is a Renaissance castle, with a very beautiful and remarkable garden in which to stroll.

Château de Fénelon located in Sarladais is elegant with its slate roof. It can be discovered during a self-guided tour of around 1.5 hours, at the end of which you will discover a collection of weapons and tapestries. It is located in Sainte-Mondane, its complex was built in the 14th and 16th centuries.

Château de Neuvic in the Vallée de l'Isle in Neuvic dates from the 16th century, we will also discover a chapel and a cave, the visit retraces the vagaries of the history of this building whose surroundings also include a restaurant, a botanical park and a treasure hunt.

Château de l'Herm is famous among those who love Jacquou le Croquant. It is a flamboyant Gothic style castle, dating from the Renaissance, authentic and which you can discover at your own pace thanks to the panels. It is open from April to September near the village of Rouffignac in Périgord Noir.

The unusual and original Châteaux of Périgord

The Maison Forte de Reignac is a cliff castle, it is walled in limestone rock! It's a very unusual place, built on several floors, you go from room to room, you climb through History, from the Paleolithic to the Middle Ages. Nooks and crannies, fascinating and lugubrious characters, collections of weapons and taxidermied bestiaries... Until the famous exhibition on torture in the Middle Ages... A unique place!

Château de Bourdeilles in Périgord Vert is actually 2 castles in one. There is the medieval ensemble from the 13th century, with a 32m keep tower from which you can see a magnificent view of the Dronne valley below, there is also a Renaissance-style castle house, with a very beautiful collection of furniture, all surrounded by a charming garden. In this castle, there is also a unique 3D Escape Game with virtual reality glasses! Workshops are organized for children in season.

The Château de Monbazillac is doubly attractive: for the wine it hosts and for its architectural features and its history. The visit ends with a tasting of the precious beverage… It is a castle which combines medieval architecture with Renaissance elegance. It was developed throughout history according to needs and today, it is the property of the Cave de Monbazillac.

Château de Bridoire is located in Ribagnac, in the heart of the Monbazillac vineyard. This is a place where games are very important! The free tour is dotted with old games and its history full of twists and turns will captivate you... Bought in 2011 by the Guyot family who made it their mission to restore it and open it to the public, it is a friendly, original castle in its museography and which will please the whole family!

In the Vézère valley, in Tursac, the Château de Marsac has also just been taken over by the Guyot family, it is an emblematic castle of the valley, magnificent facing the view, the river and resplendent... It was the The object of much desire, sold at auction, it will soon be opened for the greatest pleasure of its admirers. Because it once remained private, it will now be the host of a fantastic Escape Game!

The Château de Campagne in the town of the same name, not far from Le Bugue, cannot be visited inside (sometimes you can see exhibitions there) but you can enjoy the appeal of its park and its surroundings in all seasons. the adjoining forest. You enter for free and it is a haven of greenery and pleasure to go for a walk with the children. There are regular activities and if you climb the steps to the forest, you will see cluzeaux, rock shelters typical of Périgord. Parking nearby and free!

Visit to intimate and lesser-known castles

The Château de Lacypierre is an adorable little family castle, which is told to you by Isabelle and Florence Lebon who lived in this castle lovingly restored by their grandmother. A few kilometers from Sarlat, in Saint-Crépin and Carlucet, it is an unusual experience of real castle life, not for lords, but for lovers of old stones and beautiful stories.

Château de Losse is located in Thonac, a few kilometers from Montignac in the Vézère Valley. Before getting there, take the D65 road to observe it from the other bank of the Vézère, it is majestic with its posture overlooking the river and its clusters of vegetation which fall gracefully above the rock. There is a Renaissance home, remarkable gardens and furniture dating from the 16th century.

The Château de Montaigne in Saint-Michel de Montaigne, is a private site which can be discovered on a guided tour... It is located on the edge of Gironde, in the southwest of Périgord. He is attached to the life of this great man and we visit the Tower, the park and the adjoining vineyard. A philosophical, historical and exciting moment in perspective!

Château l'Évêque, located in the town of the same name, is private, but open to visitors. It dates from the 14th century and its location on a rocky promontory places it on the lookout for visitors and visible to all! Made up of several accommodations, an English-style park with a river and a pond, it is open to visits in summer and in the summer from April, just call to ask for details. An intimate and very special visit!

The Château de Gageac is located on the outskirts of Bergerac, it is attached to the Château de Duras, in Lot-et-Garonne. It is open to visitors in summer for a small price. Settled in the middle of the vineyards, you will discover a wine worthy of interest in the middle of a charming village. A discreet heritage of the Dordogne, but quite interesting for those who like to take the time to come across little nuggets...

The Château de Mareuil is one of the 4 baronies of Périgord. It can be visited from June to September and is located in Périgord Vert, not far from the border with Charente. It is a pearl of history, on the northern borders of Périgord, which we visit with the lord, in person! For lovers of old stones and History.

The Château de la Marthonie in Saint-Jean-de-Côle in this magnificent little typically Périgordin village. Not far from Brantôme, it was destroyed during the 100 Years' War and then rebuilt. It is open to visitors in summer and combines perfectly with a discovery of this village classified among the most beautiful in France which shelters it.

The Château de Belvès: yes, it can be visited! By appointment and with a guide and a minimum of 4 people, but don't deprive yourself of the opportunity to discover this little gem, in the heart of the magnificent village of Belvès. You will discover the interiors of the castle: the tower, the great room and the painting rooms.

The Château d'Excideuil is a 12th century fortress which can be enjoyed on a self-guided tour! There we will discover an old stronghold, a keep, a dwelling and a pavilion. But what is interesting is to come and discover it on a market day on Thursday morning, to combine History with the delights of this pretty, well-stocked local market.

Castles that tell beautiful stories

The Château des Milandes is the home of the magazine leader and formidable woman who took part in the resistance, Joséphine Baker. There we discover sumptuous gardens, natural spaces very attractive for children, dotted with aviaries and we can see a very beautiful spectacle of birds of prey. The interior of the castle can be discovered with emotion, it retraces the life of Joséphine and her rainbow tribe of children adopted from all over the world. A pearl of Périgord.

The Château de Puymartin dates from the 13th century, but when did the legend it houses date back to? The White Lady, have you ever heard of her? The castle was restored at the end of the 19th century and today, it represents a very interesting visit... The White Lady and her halo of mystery... Thérèse de Saint-Clar imprisoned in one of the castle towers by her jealous and injured husband of her infidelity... Could she have come back to haunt the castle and the surrounding area?

We hope that this tour of the castles of our magnificent Dordogne will have made you want to visit several of them, to immerse yourself in castle life! 1001 castles, we weren't lying, were we?