Discover the Castle of Hautefort, a building in Dordogne full of history
Built on the heights of the town of Hautefort, in the north of the Périgord Noir, this castle is one of the rare “classical” buildings in the Dordogne.
Located about 40 km from our campsite in the Dordogne, this place is above all a private domain, full of history.
Built during the Middle Ages, first as a fortified castle from the early 11ᵉ century by the first owner Guy de Lastours, its architecture and owners are seen evolving over the centuries.
A PLACE FULL OF HISTORY
During the Middle Ages, the castle became the property of the English: Les de Born.
At the beginning of the 15ᵉ century, the castle became French again; The family then took the arms and name of Hautefort.
From the 16ᵉ century, several architects and descendants succeeded each other and made the structure of the castle evolve and modernize.
Its majestic appearance places this Dordogne castle on a par with the castles of the Loire Valley.
During the French Revolution, under Louis XIV, the castle of Hautefort, which must be destroyed, is protected by the inhabitants of the village, and is transformed for some time into a prison, which saves it from any demolition.
Upon the death of the last owner in the early 20ᵉ century, the castle was resold and then looted of its possessions. It is the decline.
It was not until 1929, with the acquisition of the castle by the Baron and Baroness de Bastard, that the restoration began and the work was entrusted to a chief architect of historical monuments. The gardens are redesigned.
In 1958, while the work was not finished, the castle opened its doors to the public who could visit it.
In 1968, a violent fire destroyed the main building of the castle. The baroness, now a widow, undertook the reconstruction of the castle to its original state.
In 2013, a hailstorm violently hit Hautefort, causing, among other things, damage to the castle and the roofs of the keep. The repairs will require the replacement of approximately 60,000 slates
THE GARDENS OF THE CASTLE
The park of the castle offers a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and villages.
In the 17ᵉ century, the French gardens were redesigned and then transformed into English gardens.
Flowerbeds, terraces, courtyards and a vegetable garden were created and embellished the Hautefort estate.
Their transformations would extend over several centuries, until the end of the 20ᵉ century by Baron de Bastard and his wife with the return of formal gardens.
THE CINEMA, FAN OF THE CASTLE OF HAUTEFORT
The Château de Hautefort is a source of inspiration for directors of 7ᵉ art.
Her beauty and presence have attracted the international film world for over 60 years.
From Jean Marais to Bourvil in “Le Capitain” (1960) or more recently Frederic Diefenthall in “Cartouche” (2009), the set is used for many films…
Currently, visitors can discover an exhibition on these cinematographic adventures but also attend the reconstruction of a shooting and its sets.
Visit the castle from 5.5€ from March to November. Open every day from April to October, weekends and holidays in March and November. The opening hours vary according to the month and the castle is open at least from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm and at most from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm continuously.
In the Vézère valley, classified as a world heritage site by unesco, you can also take guided tours of the fortress of Beynac and go back to the Hundred Years War, stroll through the medieval city of Sarlat, in a century-old abbey or in some of the most beautiful villages in France! The Dordogne is undoubtedly the first destination for historical tourism in the South West and New Aquitaine!
