Embarking on the Dordogne River is like setting off on a treasure hunt. Between the Lot, Corrèze, and Dordogne departments, countless castles, manor houses, and fortresses overlook the valley.
All have stood the test of time and immerse us in history. We can't help but be captivated by these stones illuminated by the rays of the rising sun. Along this river of hope that connects these places, we are surprised, amused, and sometimes even moved.
Water castles in brief
- 1001 castles to admire atop the cliffs
- From Corrèze to Périgord Noir
- The best way to see the most? Go on a canoe trip !
The Château de Corrèze: Estresses' residence
Located in Astaillac, in Corrèze, the Château d'Estresses has bordered the river since the 16th and 17th centuries.
Its history dates back to the Middle Ages: as early as 889, King Eudes of France stopped the Norman invasion there. The site was subsequently the scene of several battles, notably in 931 with Rudolph of Burgundy, then in 1356 against the troops of the Black Prince, son of King Edward III of England.
Today, it's an iconic landmark to admire… directly from your canoe thanks to our canoe trips Safaraid. And for those who are curious, tours of the estate should resume soon.
History and heritage of the castles of the Lot region
The castle of Castelnau-Bretenoux, neighbor of the Mona Lisa
The Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux, located in the French commune of Prudhomat in the Lot department, is the most imposing medieval fortress in the Quercy region, having never been besieged. Its origins date back to Hugues de Castelnau, who built a wall around his estate. He was the ancestor of a very powerful family line that prospered in a region rich in agricultural resources. From its medieval period, the square keep and a lord's residence remain. Remodeled in the 15th century to accommodate emerging artillery, it was captured by Henry II Plantagenet but returned to the ownership of the Barons of Castelnau after the Hundred Years' War.
It is near the Château de Montal, refuge of Mona Lisa, hidden during the Second World War by the Louvre in a trunk out of sight of the enemy.
The ruins of Taillefer Castle
In the commune of Gintrac, the ruins of the castle known as "Taillefer" proudly overlook the Espérance River. Likely dating from the 13th century, it is one of the key examples of the Lot region's castle heritage. The site offers a spectacular panorama of the valley and the Château de Castelnau. At the time, its strategic location allowed for the monitoring of the salt road and the port of Sal de Gintrac, one of the oldest ports in the Dordogne Valley, through which salt from the Atlantic passed.
The Deans' Castle in Carennac
Dean Alain de Ferrières commissioned the construction of the Dean's Castle and the chapels of the north aisle in the 16th century. The ceiling decoration of the grand salon was executed at the request of François Salignac de La Mothe-Fénelon, Bishop of Sarlat and Dean of Carennac in the 17th century. He is also depicted in the portrait painted on the mantelpiece. The castle is now listed as a historical monument.
The castles of Mirandol and Belcastel
Located on the cliff overlooking the Floirac cirque, the first recorded mention of Mirandol comes from the Abbey of Tulle. In the 12th century, the Viscount of Turenne was also referred to as the Lord of Mirandol. In the 17th century, the current château replaced the remains of a fortress, of which only sections of the walls survive. A beautiful pointed-arch doorway remains from the former noble residence, below the current ground level.
At the confluence of the Dordogne and Ouysse rivers, it stands perched on a cliff approximately 55 meters above the waters. The GR6 hiking trail approaches it from the south, below. Built by Adhémar de Turenne, Viscount of Les Échelles, the castle was mentioned in his will of 930 in favor of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Martin of Tulle under the name " still beautiful castle." In 1105, Pope Paschal II confirmed the chapel of Belcastel and the surrounding churches as possessions of the Abbey of Tulle.
The Château de la Treyne
The existence of the Château de la Treyne is documented as early as 1342. Its construction is likely attributed to Guillaume and Hughes de Rouffilhac, whose family originated from Gourdon. After a rich and eventful history spanning centuries, the château was purchased by the Gombert family in 1982. Following ten years of renovations, the château became a member of the Relais & Châteaux group in the Lot region. The restaurant also boasts one Michelin star. The façades, roofs, straight staircase, and the décor of the grand salon and billiard room on the ground floor of the château are listed as historical monuments for their unique architectural beauty.
Lanzac Castle
The lordship of the manor was shared between the Benedictines of Souillac Abbey and the fief holder. François-Bertrand Dufour, after a life spent in the service of the armies of the Republic and then Napoleon's troops, notably participating in the Battle of Austerlitz, was elected deputy for the Lot department, as was his son forty years later. The building is reflected in the clear waters of the river. Its restoration in the last century has transformed it into a charming manor house. According to the will of Bertrand de Gontaud, it once had a tower, now gone. It is currently a private residence.
The castles of the Dordogne, in the heart of the Périgord Noir
Roufillac Castle
In the heart of the Périgord Noir, the Château de Rouffillac is perched on a hillside, overlooking the valley since the 12th century. Located in the village of Carlux, it faces the Château de Fénelon, perched on the other side of the river. With its golden stone and slate roof, Rouffillac is an iconic monument of this department known for its "1001 castles, manor houses and fortified houses".
The fort of La Roque-Gageac
Overlooking the river and offering a breathtaking 180° panorama of the valley, the cliff of La Roque-Gageac shelters the remains ofa fortress built in the 12th century. Constructed directly into the rock, the site boasted a highly elaborate defensive system, still visible today: a moat, a machicolation, a wall-walk, arrow slits, loopholes, and gun ports. Accessible via a vertiginous staircase clinging to the cliff face, the fort houses an exhibition showcasing prominent figures from the past and the village's historical highlights.
Castelnaud Castle
The Château de Castelnaud is a medieval fortress (13th-17th centuries) located in the French commune of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle. In 1966, it was listed as a historical monument, a classification extended to its walls in 1980, at the same time as its gatehouse was listed as a historical monument.
The protection of Beynac: the castles of Fayrac and Beynac
Fayrac, a 13th-century residence and vassal of Castelnaud, undoubtedly built to keep watch over Beynac, appears nestled in a verdant setting. Like its illustrious neighbors—Beynac, Castelnaud, Lacoste, Marqueyssac and its gardens, and Les Milandes—it forms part of the tourist area known as the " Valley of the Six Castles ."
Beynac Castle is located in the commune of Beynac-et-Cazenac, in the Périgord Noir region . This castle is one of the best preserved and most renowned in the area. This austere-looking medieval structure, perched atop a limestone plateau, overlooks the village of Beynac-et-Cazenac on the right bank of the river.
