

#Chateau in dordogne france windows#
Lurçat decorated the castle’s walls, ceilings, doors, and windows with his art, creating numerous tapestries, paintings, and ceramics until his death in 1966. However, the most notable transformation of the castle came when the painter and tapestry maker Jean Lurçat purchased it in 1945 and set up his tapestry studio there. The castle changed hands several times, eventually being bought by Lafon du Verdier in 1895, who completed the remaining buildings of the current manor. The Château de Saint-Laurent-les-Tours has a rich history dating back to the Viscounts of Turenne, who built the two towers, which are the only remaining vestiges of the original castle, after the French Wars of Religion. photo: Krzysztof Golik / CC BY-SA 4.0 Château de Saint-Laurent-les-Tours Visitor information: the castle is open to visitors. And the three children of King Leopold III of Belgium were also exiled to the chateau during World War Two. The sculpted façade was restored together with Rodin’s disciples, and the rooms were decorated with lavish furniture and hangings.Ĭhâteau de Montal is famously known for hiding the Mona Lisa during the Second World War.

Maurice Fenaille restored the castle in the 20th century. The façades of the castle show sculptures of Jeanne and her family. Built in the early 16th century, the castle was transformed from a medieval residence into a French Renaissance castle by Jeanne de Balsac, daughter of Robert de Balsac, Chamberlain to Louis XI. photo: Esoxluxus / CC BY-SA 4.0 Château de MontalĬhâteau de Montal is a French Renaissance castle in the heart of the valley of the Bave. Visitors can enjoy the presence of several noteworthy trees like the Magnolia grandiflora and Cedar of Lebanon in the gardens. The gardens underwent a redesign by the Count of Choulot in the mid-19th century and now boast a landscape garden, geometric flower gardens, topiary gardens, and an Italian garden with winding shaded paths. The castle also features a French-style garden. It was later rebuilt in the 17th century and strongly resembled castles from the Loire Valley. Hautefort Castle, situated in the town of Hautefort in France, is a castle that was initially constructed as a medieval fortress. Visitor information: the castle is open to visitors and hosts the yearly Saint Céré Classical Musical Festival. The castle was almost destroyed in the 19th century, but French Opera Tenor Jean Mouliérat restored the castle and filled it with fine art pieces and antique furniture. When you walk to the top of the castle’s keep, you can marvel at the magnificent view of the Dordogne Valley.

During the Hundred Years’ War between France and England, the fortress was taken by King Henry II of England. The origins of the castle date back to the 1100s when it was the seat of the Castelnau Barons. The 15th-century castle in the Lot department is one of the finest examples of a fortified medieval building in the Dordogne Valley. photo: MOSSOT / CC BY-SA 3.0 Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux Join us as we traverse the scenic countryside, unveiling the secrets and splendors of these timeless treasures, and experience the wonder of France’s medieval majesty. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a romantic at heart, or an avid adventurer seeking to uncover the magic of France’s bygone eras, the castles of the Dordogne will leave you spellbound and inspired. From the imposing fortress of Château de Beynac to the fairy-tale elegance of Château de Hautefort, each castle offers a unique window into the region’s fascinating past and the people who shaped it. In this blog post, we invite you to embark on a captivating journey through the Dordogne’s magnificent castles, exploring their storied histories, breathtaking architecture, and the captivating tales they hold within their walls. As you wander through these architectural masterpieces, you’ll be transported to a time of knights, nobility, and romance, unraveling the stories that have been etched into their stones over the centuries. Among its most striking features are the myriad castles that punctuate the landscape, standing as proud sentinels of the region’s rich heritage. The Dordogne region, a beautiful corner of southwestern France, is a land steeped in history and adorned with the remnants of a glorious past.
