Le Château de Castelnaud

Château de Castelnaud is a superb example of medieval military architecture, perched on a rocky spur overlooking the Dordogne River and facing its historic rival, Château de Beynac, across the valley. It is one of the most visited and photogenic castles in the Dordogne.

History: Built in the 12th century, Castelnaud was a major English stronghold during the Hundred Years' War. It was repeatedly besieged and changed hands several times. In the 15th century, it was strengthened with artillery towers. After the wars, it fell into disrepair but was restored in the 20th century.

Highlights: The castle houses an outstanding museum of medieval warfare with siege engines, armour, weapons and live demonstrations. Guided tours, panoramic views, and the chance to see the rival Beynac château across the river.

Best time to go: Summer for live demonstrations of siege engines and armour. Spring/autumn for pleasant weather and clear views.

Fun fact: Castelnaud and Beynac were on opposite sides during the Hundred Years' War – Castelnaud was English, Beynac was French – making them historic rivals visible across the river.

• 12th-century military fortress
• Museum of medieval warfare
• Siege engines & armour displays
• Views of rival Beynac château

Château de Beynac

Château de Beynac is one of the most dramatic and best-preserved medieval fortresses in France, dramatically perched on a 150-metre cliff directly above the Dordogne River. The château dominates the village of Beynac-et-Cazenac below and offers panoramic views over the valley.

History: Built in the 12th century, Beynac was a key stronghold during the Hundred Years' War, controlled by the barons of Beynac who were loyal to the French crown. The castle changed hands several times and was later used as a noble residence. It fell into disrepair but was restored in the 20th century.

Highlights: Imposing keep and ramparts, medieval rooms and kitchens, guided tours, panoramic terraces with valley views, and the chance to see falconry displays in summer.

Best time to go: Late spring or early autumn for soft light and fewer crowds. Sunset visits offer magical views of the château glowing above the river.

Fun fact: The Château de Beynac has been used as a filming location for many movies, including Luc Besson’s The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc and Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood.

• 12th-century cliff-top fortress
• Panoramic views over Dordogne Valley
• Medieval rooms and kitchens
• Falconry displays in summer

Château des Milandes

Château des Milandes is a Renaissance château most famous as the former home of the legendary entertainer Josephine Baker. It features elegant architecture and beautiful gardens overlooking the Dordogne Valley.

History: Built in 1489, Milandes was a noble residence. In 1930, Josephine Baker bought the château and lived there from 1947 to 1968, creating a home for her adopted children from around the world. It is now a museum dedicated to her life.

Highlights: Josephine Baker museum with costumes and memorabilia, elegant Renaissance interiors, formal gardens, falconry displays in summer, and panoramic valley views.

Best time to go: Summer for falconry shows and garden flowers. Spring/autumn for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

Fun fact: Josephine Baker adopted 12 children from different countries, creating a multicultural family home at Milandes – she called it her “Rainbow Tribe”.

• Former home of Josephine Baker
• Museum with costumes & memorabilia
• Renaissance architecture & gardens
• Falconry displays in summer

Château Montfort

Château Montfort is a picturesque medieval castle set on a hill overlooking the Dordogne River and the village of Vézac. It features a massive keep and ramparts with panoramic views. The château is private and not open to the public.

History: Built in the 13th century, Montfort was a strategic stronghold during the Hundred Years' War. It was later expanded and restored, retaining its medieval character. It remains privately owned and is not accessible to visitors.

Highlights: Massive keep, ramparts, panoramic views over the Dordogne Valley (visible from surrounding areas), and its role in the famous "Valley of the Five Châteaux".

Fun fact: Montfort is part of the famous "Valley of the Five Châteaux" – a scenic stretch of the Dordogne River where five castles are visible from various points, though it is not open to the public.

• 13th-century medieval castle
• Panoramic Dordogne Valley views (from outside)
• Massive keep & ramparts
• Part of the Valley of the Five Châteaux

Château Fayrac

Château Fayrac is a picturesque Renaissance château set in beautiful gardens overlooking the Dordogne River. It is private and not open to the public, though the gardens are sometimes accessible in summer.

History: Originally a 14th-century fortress, it was transformed into a Renaissance residence in the 16th century. The château has remained in private hands and is known for its elegant architecture and romantic setting.

Highlights: Renaissance architecture, formal gardens with boxwood parterres (visible in season), river views, and the peaceful, intimate atmosphere of a private estate.

Fun fact: Fayrac is one of the few châteaux in the Dordogne still privately owned and lived in, giving it a lived-in, authentic feel even though it is not open to the public.

• Renaissance château architecture
• Formal gardens with river views (seasonal access)
• Privately owned and lived-in
• Intimate, romantic atmosphere

Château de Hautefort

Château de Hautefort is one of the most magnificent Renaissance châteaux in the Dordogne, set on a hilltop with formal gardens and panoramic views over the surrounding countryside.

History: Originally a medieval fortress, it was transformed into a Renaissance residence in the 17th century by the Marquis de Hautefort. It was largely destroyed by fire in 1968 but meticulously rebuilt by the owner, Baron Henri de Bastard, using traditional techniques.

Highlights: Elegant Renaissance architecture, formal French gardens with parterres and topiary, guided tours of the interiors, and panoramic views from the terraces.

Best time to go: Late spring to early autumn for garden flowers and clear views. Summer for full displays and events.

Fun fact: The château was rebuilt almost entirely after a devastating fire in 1968, using original plans and traditional materials – a remarkable restoration project.

• Renaissance château architecture
• Formal French gardens & parterres
• Panoramic hilltop views
• Guided tours of interiors

Le Château de Commarque

Le Château de Commarque is a ruined medieval fortress set in a remote valley with prehistoric caves below. It is one of the most atmospheric and mysterious castles in the Dordogne.

History: Built in the 11th century, Commarque was a major stronghold during the Middle Ages. It was abandoned in the 18th century and fell into ruin. Recent restoration has revealed prehistoric caves and rock shelters beneath the castle.

Highlights: Ruined medieval towers and walls, underground prehistoric caves, scenic valley setting, and the sense of discovery as you explore the site.

Best time to go: Spring/autumn for pleasant weather and fewer visitors. Summer for longer opening hours.

Fun fact: Prehistoric caves and rock shelters were discovered beneath the castle, showing continuous human occupation from Paleolithic times to the Middle Ages.

• 11th-century ruined fortress
• Prehistoric caves below
• Remote, scenic valley setting
• Atmospheric ruins

Château de Bourdeilles

Château de Bourdeilles is a magnificent castle with two distinct parts: a massive 14th-century keep (one of the tallest in France) and a Renaissance residence built in the 16th century. It overlooks the Dronne River.

History: The keep was built in the 14th century as a military fortress. The Renaissance wing was added in the 16th century by Jacquette de Montbron, wife of the governor of Périgord. The castle remained in the same family for centuries.

Highlights: The imposing keep, Renaissance interiors with furniture and tapestries, guided tours, panoramic views from the keep, and the peaceful riverside setting.

Best time to go: Summer for longer opening hours and events. Spring/autumn for pleasant weather and clear views from the keep.

Fun fact: The keep is one of the tallest medieval towers in France, offering exceptional views over the Dronne Valley.

• 14th-century massive keep
• 16th-century Renaissance residence
• Panoramic views from the keep
• Historic furniture & tapestries

Château de Fénelon

Château de Fénelon is a picturesque medieval castle with Renaissance additions, set in beautiful gardens overlooking the Dordogne Valley. It is one of the most romantic and photogenic châteaux in the region.

History: Built in the 12th century, it was expanded in the Renaissance period. It was the birthplace of François de Salignac de La Mothe-Fénelon, the famous writer and archbishop.

Highlights: Medieval keep and ramparts, Renaissance interiors, formal gardens, guided tours, and panoramic views over the valley.

Best time to go: Late spring to early autumn for garden flowers and clear views. Summer for events and longer opening hours.

Fun fact: The château was the childhood home of Fénelon, whose book Telemachus influenced European literature and education in the 18th century.

• 12th-century medieval origins
• Renaissance additions
• Formal gardens & valley views
• Birthplace of writer Fénelon

Château Biron

Château Biron is a vast medieval fortress with Renaissance additions, set on a hilltop with panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. It is one of the largest and most imposing castles in the Dordogne.

History: Built in the 12th century by the Barons of Biron, it was expanded over centuries with Gothic and Renaissance elements. The castle remained in the Biron family until the Revolution.

Highlights: Massive keep and ramparts, Gothic chapel, Renaissance apartments, panoramic hilltop views, and summer theatre performances in the courtyard.

Best time to go: Summer for theatre performances and long days. Spring/autumn for pleasant weather and clear views.

Fun fact: The Château de Biron has been used as a filming location for several movies and TV series, including The Three Musketeers and Ever After.

• 12th-century medieval fortress
• Gothic chapel & Renaissance apartments
• Panoramic hilltop views
• Summer theatre performances

Château de Jumilhac

Château de Jumilhac is a fairy-tale castle with conical towers and steep roofs, set in the northern Dordogne. It is known as the "Pearl of the Green Périgord" and features a unique legend of the spinning lady.

History: Built in the 13th century, it was expanded in the Renaissance and 17th centuries. The castle is associated with the legend of Louise de Hautefort, who was imprisoned in the tower for infidelity and spent her days spinning.

Highlights: Conical towers and steep roofs, spinning lady legend, formal gardens, guided tours, and the peaceful northern countryside setting.

Best time to go: Summer for longer opening hours and garden displays. Spring/autumn for pleasant weather and fewer visitors.

Fun fact: The legend of the spinning lady inspired the famous song "La Dame de Hautefort" – the tower where she was imprisoned is still called the "Tour de la Fileuse" (Spinning Lady Tower).

• Fairy-tale conical towers
• Spinning lady legend
• Formal gardens
• "Pearl of the Green Périgord"

Château de Montréal

Château de Montréal is a 12th-century fortress with later additions, set on a hilltop overlooking the Dordogne countryside. It features impressive ramparts and towers with panoramic views.

History: Built in the 12th century as a defensive stronghold, it was expanded over the centuries and played a role in regional conflicts. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited castles in the area.

Highlights: Medieval ramparts and towers, panoramic hilltop views, guided tours, and the peaceful rural setting.

Best time to go: Spring/autumn for pleasant weather and clear views. Summer for longer opening hours.

Fun fact: Montréal is one of the oldest castles in the Dordogne still inhabited by descendants of the original owners – a rare living link to the past.

• 12th-century fortress
• Panoramic hilltop views
• Medieval ramparts & towers
• Continuously inhabited