Château de Hautefort, a striking landmark in the Périgord Blanc really stands out in the Dordogne. Originally a medieval fortress, it was transformed in the 17th century when the Marquis de Hautefort envisioned a grand residence in the style of the Loire Valley châteaux. Construction began in 1630 and was completed in 1670, resulting in the elegant building you see today.

In the 1920s, Baron and Baroness de Bastard began restoring the château. After the Baron’s death in 1957, the Baroness continued the work tirelessly until a devastating fire in 1968 reduced everything but a few 16th-century tapestries to ashes. Remarkably, the château has since been fully restored and is now truly magnificent, inside and out.

You enter the castle via a drawbridge that leads to the main courtyard, framed by the imposing structure. The visit takes you through the master bedroom with its ornate wood carvings, and up into the Tour de Bretagne, whose roof structure dates back to 1678. The great hall is richly decorated with Brussels tapestries, antique furniture, and two monumental fireplaces. You’ll also see the chapel and the old kitchens, which feel like stepping back in time.

One highlight is a fascinating film about the 1968 fire, along with an entire room dedicated to the many films shot here. Among them is EverAfter, starring Drew Barrymore and Anjelica Huston. You can even spot their photos on display.

After touring the château, we wandered into the park, shaded by majestic cedar trees and offering breathtaking views back to the castle.

From the main courtyard, the vista sweeps across the formal gardens, the village below, and the rolling valley beyond.

You could easily spend an entire day here, exploring the interiors, strolling through the gardens, and simply soaking in the elegance of this unique château in the heart of the Dordogne.

The village of Hautefort is situated 20kms from the town of Excideuil towards the north of the Dordogne.

If you would like to read about more places in the Dordogne, you may be interested in my book, My Dordogne Life, available on Amazon.