Travel Around The Clock

Located on a hill, on the border between Périgord and Agenais, the castle of Biron is the seat of one of the four baronies of the Périgord (together with Bourdeilles , Beynac and Mareuil). Over the years, this primitive fortress has undergone multiple changes. Each century has left its mark there, giving a particular appeal to this exceptional architectural ensemble.  Chateau de Biron But the Biron Castle is a must-see site in more than one way: not only it is stunningly beautiful in its impressive structure, but it has a long history! It belonged for 8 centuries to the Gontaut-Biron family, which was also one of the 4 baronies of the Périgord. Indeed, the first lord of the castle was called Vital 1er de Gontaut (12th century) and participated in the construction of the building. Many lords and barons have succeeded, but Gaston VI de Gontaut (15th century) and his sons Pons and Armand de Gontaut (15th-16th century) were the most important figures. Chateau de Biron Gaston VI was th...

In the heart of the Dordogne Valley, the Chateau de Castelnaud , built in the 12th century on a rocky outcrop, is one of the most visited castles in the South-West of France . Chateau de Castelnaud Standing opposite to the Château de Beynac, its rival during the  Hundred Years War , it has a troubled and eventful history, made up of successive battles for its possession and numerous reconstructions. It was first owned by the Cathar lord Bernard de Casnac, then it was taken by Simon de Montfort in 1214, during the crusade against the Albigenses.  The fortress was then taken and retaken seven times during the Hundred Years War, but the French won it definitively in 1442.  When the conflict was over, the castle was returned to the Caumonts, owners since 1368. They reinforced the defensive system: the low enclosure and the new barbican were equipped with gunboats and the artillery tower was built. The various works of fortifications, however, will only have a dissua...

Built at the end of the 15th century and later transformed by François de Caumont out of love for his wife, the Chateau des Milandes became famous thanks to Joséphine Baker who acquired it in 1937. Often called a “woman's castle” because of its history and its architecture with soft and harmonious lines, it perfectly combines the spirit of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Chateau des Milandes A stately chapel to the south of the castle was built in 1503. True gem of Gothic art, this funeral chapel  chapel, mutilated during the Revolution, is now under restoration. During excavations inside the building, 16th century paintings and wall frescoes were discovered; a true unsuspected and inestimable treasure. A painting restoration project has been launched by the owner of the castle, to safeguard this heritage. Chapel, Chateau des Milandes Let’s not forget the architectural beauty of the Château des Milandes with its delicate, regular and elegant lines and its typically Gothic so...

On the banks of the Beune river, 10 km from the center of Les Eyzies de Tayac and close to the prehistoric shelter of Cap-Blanc , the magnificent ruins of the Château de Commarque are nestled in a small valley, in front of the Château de Laussel, surrounded by woods and reachable after a pleasant 800m walk under the trees, on a gentle slope. Chateau de Commarque Built in the 12th and 13th centuries. by the de Commarque family, it was, for a long time, the possession of a younger branch of the de Beynac family. It was occupied by the English, then taken again, and finally abandoned from the end of the 16th century, gradually sinking into relative oblivion, with only the powerful keep still emerging from the vegetation. Chateau de Commarque In the 1962, the castle was acquired by a descendant of the family that built it, Hubert de Commarque with the intent of restoring it. A tremendous human adventure then began, testimony to the passion and perseverance that heritage lovers can demons...

Along the road connecting Sarlat and Les Eyzies, nestled in the middle of the woods, the Chateau de Puymartin has been inhabited for five centuries by the same family. For the same period of time, it has also been associated with the legend of the most popular ghost of the Perigord Noir: the White Lady. Chateau de Puymartin Built in the 13th century, the castle was destroyed during the Hundred Years War to prevent it from serving as a support point for the English. Then it was rebuilt in the 15th century by Radulphe de Saint-Clar, and restored at the end of the 19th century by the Marquis de Carbonnier de Marzac.  The round towers, the neo-Gothic keep majestically dominating the Beune valley, the blond stones shining in the sun create an impressive and perfectly preserved architectural ensemble. Inside the castle, the Montbron family, that still owns the premises, has carefully preserved the furniture, the Aubusson tapestries from the 18th century, the trompe-l'oeil fireplace from...

Chateau de Losse In the town of Thonac, near Montignac and the prehistoric caves of Lascaux , in the Périgord Noir, the Chateau de Losse and its gardens dominate the Vézère valley.  Originally, a medieval stronghold, the castle is surrounded by wide and deep moats, and it's accessible via a large châtelet which gives the whole building an impression of power, before entering the inner courtyard. The harmonious proportions of the buildings and the decoration of its facade reveal all the elegance of the Renaissance architecture. It was in the 12th century, that the de Losse family, originally from Flanders, stronghold of the crown of France, settled on the banks of the Vézère. The Marquis Jean II de Losse will be its worthy representative. By his will, the castle was transformed in 1576 into a private residence.  Chateau de Losse Page under François 1st, he became captain and fiery adversary of Charles V and acquired high responsibilities as Governor before becoming a ...

Château de Fénelon The Château de Fénelon is a listed historic monument, located in the Dordogne department on the heights of the town of Saint-Mondane from where it dominates the valleys of the Dordogne and Bouriane. The castle was the birthplace of François de Salignac de la Motte Fénelon (much better known by his name of writer Fénelon) who lived during the reign of the Enlightenment of Louis XIV and became Archbishop of Cambrai. The castle draws up its powerful architecture behind three fortified enclosures whose defensive system has been kept intact. The front door was defended by a first gatehouse. The attackers then had to bypass a second defensive wall which left them uncovered and led them to a second 'chatelet' defending access to the foot of the castle. The fortress played a strategic role during the Hundred Years War and was besieged on numerous occasions. Château de Fénelon Main courtyard, Château de Fénelon Well (90m deep), Château de Fénelon The castle was then...