Best Dordogne Châteaux  The Dordogne boasts as many as 100 châteaux ranging from ruins to châteaux that are still inhabited.  Many have dramatic settings with splendid views over the river.  The best are a few miles to the west of Sarlat at Castlenaud and Marqueyssac.  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 Beynac

Location: Overlooking the Dordogne river valley at Beynac.
General Info: Open 10AM – 6.30PM in season. Tel. 05 53 29 50 40.
Description: This incredibly located chateau is in one of the most dominant positions of any in the Dordogne.  The interior is really quite remarkable - unspoilt and inspiring the imagination to what it must have been like during the 100 years war.  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.
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). 
For 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 de Beynac
          - Château Biron
          - Château de Castelnaud
          - Commarque Castle
          - Chateau de Hautefort
          - Château Marqueyssac
          - Les Milandes

There are some excellent websites on châteaux in the Dordogne including:
          - Casteland.Com
          - Best of Perigord

     - Top Attractions in the Dordogne
     - Top ten Holiday destinations in France