General Info: There is a nominal entrance fee. This is a bit out of the way but if you follow the signs you will eventually reach it! Location: Follow the D47 from Les Eyzies to Sarlat, turn left onto the D48 and follow the signs for Commarque Castle. There is lots of natural shade under the trees around the castle as well as a drinking spring for those really hot days. The main tower of the castle is reasonably intact and you can climb to the top of it – not for the faint-hearted! Above you can see a picture of the view from one of the windows in the main tower. There is a small car park which rarely gets too busy and then a short 10 minute walk down through the woods to the castle ruins themselves. Our recommendations: Buy a combined ticket which allows entry to both this château and the Château Marqueyssac (you may not be able to use this for the Thursday evening extravaganza at Château Marqueyssac – please check).įor the children: This chateau has been designed completely with the child in mind, so plan to spend a lot of time here! As an added bonus, the visit is free for the under 10s! Commarque Castleĭescription: Stunningly situated romantic ruins of a 12th century castle. General Info: Opening 9AM – 8PM in the summer, 10AM – 7PM in April, May, June and September. It is child oriented with nooks and crannies to explore, hands on opportunities with audio visual and computerised displays as well as demonstrations of medieval sword fights.Location: Situated off the D57 on the south side of the river, overlooking the Château Marqueyssac. Château de Castelnaudĭescription: This splendid château is a reconstructed medieval castle dating back to the 12th century and situated in a majestic position overlooking the Dordogne and facing the Château Marqueyssac. Our recommendations: Well worth a visit – as castles go this has a lot to interest the children with hidden passageways, dungeons and towers to explore.įor the children: Our children loved it here – it is a really pleasant place to spend a morning or afternoon. General Info: Open daily in high season but closed on Mondays the rest of the year. This château just slips into the Dordogne region. Location: On the D53, approximately 8km south of Monpazier. The château can be visited with the aid of a written English guide (guided French tours also available) which is informative and takes you round all the sections such as the incredible vaulted kitchens, the chapel, the keep and much much more. Our recommendations: Although you can drive up to the château from Beynac village (about 3km by road) we would suggest that you leave the car at the bottom of this road in one of the plentiful car parks, and then walk up to the château (a steep 10 minute climb).įor the children: Although this is a fascinating place for the children, it is made rather tedious by the fact that you have to follow a guided tour which is conducted in French and rather verbose at times – even the French adults started to tire of it by the end! Château Bironĭescription: This incredibly imposing castle was constructed in several stages from the 11th – 18th century by the Gontaut-Biron family. General Info: Open 10AM – 6.30PM in season. Location: Overlooking the Dordogne river valley at Beynac. This is due in no small part to the fact that the current 90 year old owner (who still lives in apartments there) has expressed a clear wish that it should not be turned into a tourist attraction and yet must be available for the nation to enjoy. ![]() The interior is really quite remarkable – unspoilt and inspiring the imagination to what it must have been like during the 100 years war. The history is fascinating, dating back to the hundred years war where the French and English faced each other from their respective sides of the river! Château de Beynacĭescription: This incredibly located chateau is in one of the most dominant positions of any in the Dordogne. The best are a few miles to the west of Sarlat at Castlenaud and Marqueyssac. ![]() Many have dramatic settings with splendid views over the river. Of course, when on holiday in the Dordogne, you must make time to visit a chateau or two! The Dordogne features as many as 100 châteaux ranging from ruins to mansions that are still inhabited. ![]()
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