There are over 1000 Châteaux in the Dordogne,
unfortunately they are not all to the same standard as those found
in the Loire Valley. In fact it seems that any farm or group
of buildings with a tower or turrets has the right to call itself
a Château. A local legend says that:
"God wished to scatter chateaux over the kingdom
of France. Passing through Perigord he gave a good shrug of his shoulder to hitch up his enormous bag. Then he
discovered that the bag was burst: it was gaping wide, and towers, curtain-walls and pepper boxes were tumbling
out. Then, before setting off on his way back to Paradise, the Eternal Father shook out what was left in his travelling
bag over the stony hillsides of the Dordogne, the Vezere, and the Auvezere. And there they fell and fell, so many
that no other region was richer in chateaux, manors and fine country houses..."
Jean Secret,
The
Perigord, Ed. Tallandier
We have tried to listed below some of the grander ones and those open to the public. As for the rest... You'll
just have to come and discover them for yourselves!! Please click on a picture for more information.
Beynac Castle. Built 150 metres above the Dordogne river this 800 year old fortress
has deterred the English, the weather, but, not the tourists.
Castelnaud Castle. Guardian of the confluance of the
Dordogne and the Céou, that natural passage between Quercy and Périgord.
Château des Milandes. Built by the Lord of Castelnaud for his wife,
this was the 15th Century home of Josephine Baker's "Village of the World".
Château de Monbazillac. This remarkable 16th century castle is now home
to some of the finest desert wines in the world.
Château de Losse. The 16th century home of Jean de Beaulieu, tutor of
Henri lV. Guardian of the valley of the Vézère.
Château de Bannes. A beautiful 16th century fortress part of the House
of Losse above for 300 years.
