Castles in the Lot and Dordogne valleys
Discover and visit the most beautiful castles in the Lot and Dordogne valleys.
Château des Anglais :
Also known as Château Fort de la Roque d’Autoire. This castle, clinging to the cliff, remains only as a vestige. This medieval feat is a must-see in Autoire, France’s most beautiful village, just a few kilometers from Ventoulou.
Castelnau-Bretenoux Castle:
The château stands at the end of a rocky plateau, forming a spur thanks to the presence of a natural fault. It dominates the “four rivers” region. This castle is one of the finest examples of medieval military architecture.
Château de Montal :
Set on an overhang overlooking the Dordogne valley, the château was built between 1519 and 1534 by Jeanne de Balsac, dame de Montal. Never completed, this Renaissance masterpiece is distinguished by the exceptional richness of its sculptures, which are worthy of royal palaces.
Pannonia Castle:
Close to Rocamadour, in the heart of the Gramat Causses, on the remains of a Cistercian barn, the Château de la Pannonie is an ideal destination for art, history and nature lovers who want to get off the beaten track.
Les Tours de Merle :
A 12th-century citadel overlooking the Maronne River, the Tours de Merle stand on the border between the Limousin, Aquitaine and Auvergne regions. This jewel of medieval Limousin invites you to discover its fortress in a 10-hectare park, a reconstructed peasant farm, a garden of plants cultivated in the Middle Ages, and the Maison Madège.
Château de Fénelon :
A feudal fortress in the Périgord Noir region, Château de Fénelon is a listed historic monument in the Dordogne department, at the center of the triangle formed by the towns of Sarlat, Souillac and Gourdon. Its powerful architecture stands behind three fortified enclosures whose defensive system has been preserved intact.
Château des Doyens :
The Château des Doyens is one of the historic jewels in the crown of the medieval town of Carennac, listed as one of France’s “most beautiful villages”. A superb 16th-century stone-built residence, it now houses the Espace Patrimoine of the Pays d’Art et d’Histoire de la vallée de la Dordogne lotoise.
Château de Cabrerets :
Château de Cabrerets was built in the 15th century by the Gontaud family, the local lords. Its two towers and machicolation-capped dwelling set it apart from the valley’s cliffs. The château is not open to the public. It is only open to visitors on Heritage Days.
Château de Cénevières :
Built on the cliffs above the village in the Parc Naturel des Causses du Quercy, the 13th-16th century Château de Cénevières is one of the most splendid Renaissance monuments in the Quercy region. Listed as a historic monument, the owners welcome you to the heart of the château, located 6 km from Saint-Cirq Lapopie, overlooking the Lot valley from its terraces.
