Unlike all the other castles featured on this page, Arcambal is not - alas - open to visitors. Only 5 miles SW of the gite, it was built by the Bousquet family in the 15th century, and is clearly visible from the road between Cahors and Arcambal.
The chateau Biron looms over the Célé river in Cabrerets, just 7 miles NE of the gite, on the way up to the cave of Pech Merle. Started in the 14th century by the Gontaud family, it was never completely finished, but is open to visitors anyway.
Cénevières, a rich architectural melange of styles from the 13th, 14th and 16th centuries, lies some 14 miles to the east of Pasturat, and is open between 10 and 12 a.m. and 2 and 6 p.m. The enthusastic owners will give you a personal tour.
Assier, 16 miles NE of the gite, was built between 1518 and 1535 by Galiot de Genouillac, who was Master of Artillery to King Francois I. Renaissance carvings and an impressive grand staircase. Open all year round daily except Wednesdays. Closed 12:30-2:00 p.m.
20 miles NE of the gite, the 13th C. fortress of Larroque-Toirac soars above the river Célé, its pencil-thin tower backing directly onto the cliffs. Inside are fine 15th C. fireplaces & 16th C. frescoes. Open daily between 10-12 a.m. & 2-6 p.m. from July to mid-September.
The huge square keep at Lacapelle-Marival was built in 1270; the rest of this imposing castle was added in the 15th C. The frescoes in the Great Hall date from the 16th C. Open daily between 10-12 a.m. & 3-7 p.m. from July to mid-September, it lies just 20 miles NE of the gite.
The exotically named Chateau La Pannonie is near Gramat, 30 miles NNE of the gite. Begun in the 15th century, it now boasts a mediaeval courtyard behind this neo-classical facade which was added in the 18th century. Inside, there is a vaulted kitchen, elegant dining and drawing rooms and a host of fine art.
Montal Castle, built by Jeanne de Balsac between 1523 & 1534, is a finely furnished Renaissance gem, with a magnificent marble staircase; family busts line the courtyard walls. 32 miles NE of the gite, it is open daily between 9:30-12:00 a..m. and 2:30-6:00 p.m. from April-October.
The imposing castle of Castelnau-Bretenoux towers over the surrounding plateau. Begun in 1100, captured in 1159 by the English, it is a fine example of medieval military architecture. 30m. N, open all year round, it closes for lunch, and on Tuesdays off-season.
35 miles North of the gite, Fenelon is one of the best-preserved castles of the many that line the banks of the Dordogne. It houses a fine collection of arms and armour, and is open daily all year round. Exceptionally, it does not close for lunch in season.
Perched on a rocky promontary, Castelnaud glowers across the Dordogne valley at its ancient enemy Beynac. Founded in the 12th C., dismantled by Simon de Montfort, then rebuilt by the English Henry III, it now houses a Medieval Warfare museum. Open daily.
150m. above the Dordogne, with the precipitous cliff on one side, and its medieval fortifications on the other, Beynac looks impregnable. It is well worth climbing to the top of the castle, as the view is stunning. Open daily, Beynac is 40 miles NW of the gite.
Bonaguil, masterpiece of military architecture, dates from the 15th C. and is 30 miles W of the gite. As Lawrence of Arabia wrote - It is so perfect that it seems almost ridiculous to call it a ruin -. Open all year-round, in season it does not close for lunch.
Lacoste castle, in Grézels, was founded in the 13th century by the Bishop of Cahors, to protect his fiefdom. The castle that remains, after a series of wars with the English, is largely 17th century, and is open between 3 and 6 p.m. from mid-July to end August.
Frankly, there is not much left of the medieval citadel which once graced the skyline, just the gaunt 12th C. tower you can see in the lovely photo taken by P. Lasvenes. But there is a great view from the top, and the little town (c. 15 m SW) is well worth visiting.
10 miles south of the gite, a Renaissance embellishment of a gothic castle, Cieurac was built by the Cardaillacs in 1480. It has a unique monumental spiral staircase, and a windmill in the pretty grounds. Open 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. from 1st June to 15th September.
The chateau Biron looms over the Célé river in Cabrerets, just 7 miles NE of the gite, on the way up to the cave of Pech Merle. Started in the 14th century by the Gontaud family, it was never completely finished, but is open to visitors anyway.
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This page has videos of castles in the Lot and the Dordogne, website links to castles in the Dordogne
and Lot valleys, and describes the castles of Arcambal, Cabrerets, Cenevieres, Cénevières, Assier,
Larroque Toirac, Lacapelle Marival, Montal, Bretenoux, Fenelon, Castelnaud, Beynac, Bonaguil, Grezels, Montcuq,
and Cieurac in the Lot, Cele and Dordogne valleys. Arcambal castle, Cieurac Castle, castles in the Lot valley, France,
Cabrerets castle, Cenevieres castle, Assier castle, Larroque castle, Lacapelle castle, castles in the Dordogne valley,
Montal castle, Castelnau Bretenoux castle, Fenelon castle, castles in the Cele valley, Castelnaud castle, Beynac castle,
Bonaguil castle, Grezels castle, Montcuq castle, La Pannonie castle
