History
article | Reading time3 min
Planning to fill up on greenery in the Dordogne valley? Discover three of the Lot department's must-see châteaux, not far from Rocamadour and Figeac.
The unmistakable red silhouette of the château de Castelnau-Bretenoux
Situated near the Causses du Quercy regional park, the château de Castelnau-Bretenoux overlooks the " four rivers " region. It offers a breathtaking panorama of the Dordogne valley, including the village of Loubressac!
A summary of the arts of the Middle Ages.
Built in the 13th century, the château de Castelnau-Bretenoux is a perfect example of a medieval fortress. It has a keep, an entrance châtelet, an artillery tower fourteen metres in diameter and moats, not to mention its gunports, loopholes that combine a vertical slot for archery with a circular opening for cannon fire.
In 1896, the château de Castelnau-Bretenoux was saved from extinction by the Opéra Comique singer Jean Mouliérat ! Mouliérat restored some of the castle's extraordinary décor, but also added his own touch by installing his own collections.
- Open every day from 2 May to 31 August Open every day except Tuesday from 1 September to 30 April
- Full price: €9, free for under-26s
- Length of visit: approximately 1 hour
© Pascal Lemaître - Centre des monuments nationaux
Château d'Assier, a Renaissance château in the South-West of France
The château d'Asssier was built between 1510 and 1547 by Galiot de Genouillac. To build a monument to the glory of his feats of arms, François I's army chief chose the Quercy region, far from the châteaux of the Loire, but dear to his heart.
Galiot de Genouillac is often referred to as the winner of the Battle of Marignan. On his return from Italy after the war, he had a richly sculpted château built, in keeping with the new art of the Renaissance, fuelled by inspiring discoveries in Italy. Among the mythical figures of Antiquity, Galiot de Genouillac chose the hero Hercules to represent his military exploits: no less!
Part of the castle has been destroyed, but the wing that remains today bears witness to one of the finest buildings of its time...
- Open every day except Tuesday from 2 May to 31 AugustOpen by reservation only from 1 September to 30 April
- Full price: €5, free for under-26s
- Length of visit: approximately one hour
© David Bordes / Centre des monuments nationaux
Château de Montal and its romantic history
The history of the château de Montal is inextricably linked with that of Jeanne de Balsac. When her husband Amaury de Montal died in 1510, she was granted the right to bring up her five children alone. She then lost her beloved son, Robert de Balsac...
In 1519, Jeanne de Balsac had a refined residence built, the decor of which reflected the hardships she had had to endure.
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Château de Montal is an original synthesis of medieval and early Renaissance art. This is illustrated by the rich decorative programme on the façade of the inner courtyard, which features numerous portraits of his family and friends.
Abandoned during the Revolution, it was transformed into a farm and inn. In 1879, a speculator even had its sculpted decorations ripped off and sold! Its rescue was thanks to Maurice Fenaille, an industrialist, art collector and patron of the arts who, in just five years, recovered most of the decor and had the missing pieces reproduced.
Later, in 1943, the guards' room at Château de Montal was to house... the Mona Lisa ! Watched over night and day, Leonardo da Vinci's most famous work was returned to the Louvre in June 1945.
- Open every day from 2 May to 31 August Open every day except Tuesday from 1 September to 30 April
- Full price: €9
- Length of visit : approximately 1 hour
© David Bordes / Centre des monuments nationaux
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