Good to read there are students from all over the world visiting and studying these objects. At least this collection is open to the public, though you need to ‘chance-upon-it’. It really makes you wonder what else was carted-off and disappeared into dusty drawers without even the most basic documentation. The collection on display is truly spectacular in size and scope, a couple of objects from about every dig between here and Bordeaux! And many objects are truly amazing works of art carved bones and statuettes, even an oil-lamp from Lascaux cave…these are not the ‘crumbs that fell of the table’. In the process distributing/dispersing/disturbing materials. If you visited the sites around Les Eyzies-de-Tayak, read a little and received a passionate introduction to the ‘history of this history’ (Laugerie-haut), a lot starts to fall in place here… It is quite unbelievable how early ‘treasure hunters’ went about ‘excavating’, ‘finding’ and ‘taking away’. A very large collection of (pre)historic materials, the core of the collection dating back to a time before the ‘prehistory’ was actually recognized. The vaulted spaces are the oldest surviving parts of the castle and harbor a great surprise. So far the experience would have hardly warranted ‘3 stars’, but just before the exit into the shop, there is a stair (on the right behind doors) going down to the basement. The Turks carrying their flag with ‘crescents’, the information materials explained it was this battle that inspired French bakers to produce their ‘eat the Turks’ ‘croissants’. It depicts the African Maria over seeing a battle field (probably in present day Tunisia) between Christian and ‘Turkish’ forces.
We had finished most of the self-guided tour when a large 17th century painting in the ‘Oberkampf room’ caught our eye. We walked through the showcase rooms and found some interesting pieces of antique and curiosity, but again some of the furniture and furnishings seem awkwardly misplaced. It seems there was just not enough budget left for the finishing touches. Clearly he spend a small fortune to restore the roofs, chimneys, and opening the closed-up windows.
#Dordogne valley tv#
Information panels inform you about the bad state it was in when the current owner (a well known French TV personality) found it. This castle located halfway between Terrasson and Montignac at first glance looks ‘a bit off’. The moody teens enjoyed the experience and thought our barefoot guide was great. These are working people and this is their livelihood which they kindly allow the public to have a peek at. This is a working farm that uses traditional methods and machinery, it is not a sanitzed factory museum. You are able to sample products at the end of the tour, there is no obligation to buy, it is hard to resist though as the oil is so lovely and the wine delicious. We were advised to wait as another tour was just finishing and that guide spoke some English, he was funny and charming and we understood and learnt a lot about farming walnuts in the region. We arrived in time for the tour although the guide didn't speak any English and our French is basic at best. We have spent time in this area of the Dordogne and have visited most of the major sites in the area, this however, is something I wanted to do, and selfishly draged my teenage children along, when all they wanted to do was get back to the pool! I think it was worth a visit even if just for the fantastic views! It was an interesting visit and the staff were knowledgeable and friendly. I would recommend wearing sturdy footwear and going when it hasn’t been raining! It is an ongoing restoration project and there are some areas where pictures show what it would have originally looked like. We visited after it had rained so found it a little slippery. The castle itself is a ruin and the majority is outdoors.
#Dordogne valley how to#
It said on the sign that it was in French and English but we couldn’t see how to change it to English.
There is an audio tour that you can use on your phone by scanning a QR code. We also bought a guide book for a euro which was printed in English. There are no facilities at the castle other than a small cafe selling a few basics.Įntry cost just under €10 for each adult. However, if you are not steady in your feet then maybe give this one a miss as there is a lot of steps in the castle. There is parking closer for those that need it. Parking is roughly 700m from the castle with a walkway of loose stones to get to it.
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