If you’re looking for the quintessential Aquitaine castle where you can imagine knights in armour defending the fortress to the last, visit Roquetaillade. ![]() Best medieval castle – Château de Roquetaillade This exceptional example of a riverside château will fascinate minds young and old. Château de Castelnaud has a year round calendar of events including demonstrations on how to fire a trebuchet and wear a coat of armour. ![]() Much of the fortress remains in its original 12 th century state with the 14 th century additions such as the keep also intact. Giant catapults wait to attack on the bastion and the Museum of Medieval Warfare houses a large collection of weapons and armour. Overlooking the Dordogne River and with commanding views of the Périgord Noir, the Château de Castelnaud brings medieval battles to life. Best castle museum – Château de Castelnaud Don’t miss the Caumont coat of arms with its striking trio of golden leopards and the gardens designed as formal French parterres within an English park. The château pays tribute to her as one of the most iconic women in France during the 20 th century, with her personal belongings and photos in many of the rooms. She bought the château in 1947 and set about creating the area’s first theme park. This castle is one of those in the area that most resembles the Loire châteaux with its Renaissance style and Gothic touches.ĭes Milandes is also famous as the former home of the music hall singer and dancer Josephine Baker. Château des Milandes was built in 1489 by the Lord of Caumont who found the Château de Castelnaud (see below) too austere for his liking. Like most of the Aquitaine châteaux, this one has a long history and stunning vistas. Look out for the Château de Langoirau on the way. Explore the region from on board a luxury hotel barge as you glide along the Garonne valley. Today, its attractions include some of the best views of the Garonne valley in this part of Bordeaux, frescos in the chapel and the largest circular donjon in France.Īquitaine boasts perhaps the most famous wine region in France, Bordeaux. During the 16 th and 17 th centuries, the heads of the Bordeaux parliament lived here. It was built by the powerful Escousson family in the 13 th century and then went on to host kings – Charles VII and Louis XI both used it as a royal residence – and presidents. Perched on the right bank of the Garonne River and with wide-reaching views of the valley and to the Atlantic coast beyond, the Château de Langoirau has one of the most noble pasts of all châteaux in Aquitaine. Our favorite Aquitaine châteaux Best Garonne views – Château de Langoirau ![]() Among them are the ten in our list, all chosen for different reasons, but each and every historical monument is brimful with original features and well worth a visit. While you can still find ruined Aquitaine châteaux reduced to little more than a pile of stones, many others have been restored to their former glory. Like so many luxury châteaux in France, many became impossible drains on finances and were left to ruin. Once the hostilities came to end, the Aquitaine châteaux became residences for the royals and nobility. The region is dotted with beautiful châteaux that often changed hands several times between the English and French forces. During the Middle Ages, the English and French fought hard for the region and it was these battles including the Hundred Years’ War that led to the construction of the Aquitaine châteaux. Stretching down the Atlantic coast from La Rochelle to the Spanish border, Aquitaine encompasses Bordeaux, the Dordogne, Cognac, Biarritz, Sauternes… with their myriad coastal, riverside and hilly landscapes. ![]() The historic region of Aquitaine takes in the whole of the south-west of France.
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