La première baronnie du Périgord - Château de Bourdeilles
The first barony of Périgord - Château de Bourdeilles
Heraldry, calligraphy and family seal-making workshops as well as demonstrations of medieval combat in the main courtyard, a booklet with riddles to solve (“Léon the little griffon”), a night-time treasure hunt (on Thursdays from 13 July to 24 August) animate the Château de Bourdeilles, Périgord’s first barony. Well, actually, the two castles composed of a medieval fortress and an elegant fully-furnished Renaissance dwelling.
In Bourdeilles. Daily from 10am to 7:30pm in July and August; other periods refer to website
Prices: €8.80, €5.80 for 5-12 year olds; Workshops: €4
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 03 73 36. www.chateau-bourdeilles.fr
At the heart of the vineyards - Château de Monbazillac
The Château de Monbazillac, perfect accord between medieval defence-style and Renaissance elegance, dominates the Dordogne Valley. Set at the heart of a vineyard which bears its name, the caste is fully furnished, from the ground floor (18th century), which includes an exhibition on traditional crafts, to the floor dedicated to past and present-day artists, and on of course to the vaulted cellars and their wine museum.
In Monbazillac. Daily from 10am to 7:30pm; other periods refer to website
Prices: €7.50, €5 for 13-18 year olds and €3.75 for 6-12 year olds.
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 63 65 71. https://chateau-monbazillac.com
Gothic-style along the banks of the Isle - Château des Bories
Although it was besieged time and again during the Wars of Religion then again during the Fronde, the Château des Bories in Antonne-et-Trigonant remains one of the most magnificent illustrations of Renaissance architecture in Périgord. Built in 1494 on the foundations of a former noble haunt, it has preserved its Gothic kitchens and a monumental staircase, ¬at the heart of a vast edifice surrounded by moats which were formerly supplied by the River Isle. A privately-owned property, the castle¬ is only open for visits in July and August.
In Antonne-et-Trigonant. Guided tours in July and August, from 1pm to 7pm except on Sundays.
Prices: €5.50 and €4 for children.
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 06 00 01 - https://lesbories.monsite-orange.fr
The unfinished Louvre - Château des Lanquais
The Château de Lanquais, in Purple Périgord, an architectural creation spanning several centuries of construction, juxtaposes styles. Towers, wall-walks, guard towers and machicolations¬ are the pennons of builders from the Middle Ages and contrast the refinement of subsequent décor, implemented during the Renaissance for construction initiated during the reign of Charles IX and completed in 1604. The castle comes to life during the Medieval Day celebrations on 7 July and also during the feast evening and candle-lit tour which takes place in mid August.
In Lanquais. Daily from April to the beginning of November; in July and August from 10am to 7pm, off-season from 2:30pm to 6pm (spring) and 5:30pm (autumn).
Prices: €8 and €7 for children, students and seniors.
Tel: +33 (0)6 10 79 12 69.
With the author of Telemachus - Château de Fénelon
Here, the spirit of François Armand de Salignac de La Mothe Fénelon, more widely-known simply as “Fénelon”, author of “Les aventures de Télémaque” (The adventures of Telemachus) and born in the castle on 6 August 1651, keeps watch. The Château de Fénelon, protected by lush nature and surrounded by several walls, is the first bastion in Périgord on the Dordogne Valley and recounts several centuries of history of people and architecture. The rooms are furnished based on where they are situated in various styles, ranging from the Middle Ages to the First Empire.
In Sainte-Mondane. Open every day except Saturdays in July and August from 10:30am to 6:30pm. Off-season closed on Tuesdays and Saturdays, open from 10:30am to 12:30pm and from 2:30pm to 6pm from April to June + September and from 2pm to 5pm in October.
Prices: €9.50; €6.50 for 12-17 year olds and €5.50 for 5-11 year olds.
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 29 81 45. www.chateau-fenelon.fr
Journalist. Passions: the Périgord, history and the environment, nature and animals, horse and motorbike riding...and the culture of the Southwest with its rugby, bodegas, surfing, skiing...
