Castles

Not many parts of France can boast as many Chateaux as the Perigord. The more famous are:

Chateau Des Milandes

The Castle was built in 1489 per François de Caumont Seigneur of Castelnaud on the initiative of his wife Claude de Cardaillac. The name Milandes indicated in the Middle Ages a wooded region; located between the strongholds of Castelnaud and Berbiguières which had then Caumont, the Castle of Milandes was the main home of the family of Caumont until 1535 allowing them to manage their field while profiting from an elegant residence far from the austere environment of the feudal fortress of Castelnaud. It is in 1890 that it becomes the property of an industrial rich person Charles Claverie who carries out many transformations. The widow of Mr Claverie yields Milandes in 1920 to a doctor Doctor Malès. click here to view the official website

Chateau de Monbazillac

The castel de Monbazillac, property of the Monbazillac Cellars Company since 1960, is a unique and original architectural blend of medieval defensive fortifications and Renaissance exuberance. Set in the heart of the prestigious vineyard of the same name, the Château de Monbazillac's garden terraces afford stunning views across the Dordogne valley. Fully furnished, the castel is open all year round to visitors, either travelling independently or on group tours. After visiting the Château each visitor is offered a complementary tasting of Monbazillac wine. click here to view the official website



Chateau de Losse

Two kilometre north of the village of Thonac, and 6kms S.W. of Montignac is the Château de Losse. It stands on an exceptional site overlooking the Vézère on a small cliff into which a huge cave has been cut. The ingenious architect has built a stone arch to support the terrace which is silhouetted in the waters below. The Château is entered through a well protected 17th century gatehouse complete with stone roof, via a drawbridge. A curtained wall with watch tower, pepper-boxes and turrets stands beside the drawbridge. The living quarters are still surrounded by moats and ramparts and when you have had your fill of gazing at the fine facade with renaissance windows, you enter the main building via a magnificent stone staircase. The Château was built in 1575 by Jean de Baulieu, later to become Jean ll of Losse, tutor to the young King Henri lV and governor of Guyenne. The apartments are decorated with an outstanding collection of 15th and 16th century furniture and tapestries. The 17th century tapestry "Preparing for the Tourney by the Belgian Tapestry-Weaver Van de Borgt is especially worth a mention.


Chateau de Biron

Biron Castle, listed as an Historic Monument was the site of one of Périgord’s four baronies (the other three were : Beynac, Mareuil and Bourdeilles). The Gontaut-Biron family who owned the castle for eight centuries made many transformations to the building between the twelfth and eighteenth centuries. It is now owned by the Dordogne département.

Amongst many splendours most notable perhaps are : the twelfth-century keep, the two-storied chapel in which can be seen two tombs sculptured with recumbent figures, the Renaissance apartments and an immense vaulted kitchen.

Other Chateau's of note:

Chatêau de Castelnaud
Château de Hautefort
Château de Lanquais
Château de Fenelon
Château de Puyguilhem
Château de Bourdeille


Things to See in Dordogne:

Gardens Chateau's Cave's Medieval Towns Museums