Chateau de Commarque

Welcome to Combrand Castle

The Castle of Combrand: a medieval Castrum

Overlooking the Beune Valley, The Castle of Combrand was built in order to protect the Benedictine abbey of Sarlat at the end of the 12th century. At first it is a simple wooden tower perched on top of the cliff. Gradually the place extends, with the building of House Tower and a chapel. From the 14th century onwards, as the Beynac family became mistress of the place, the wooden dungeon was replaced by a stone dungeon, several times enhanced and occupied by the Lords of Beynac.

Thereafter, several towers, each accompanied by a dwelling are built and occupied by lineages of small nobility such as the Commark, the Cendrieux or the Gondrix.

In turn taken by the English during the Hundred Years War, then caught in the tumult of the Wars of religion, the site is gradually abandoned after the death of his last squire Guy de Beynac in 1656 to be completely deserted in the 18th century. Little by Little, the castle falls into ruins.

In 1972, the Château de Commarque was bought by Hubert de Commarque who began the rescue of the site, which was completely covered with vegetation and in a state of advanced decay.

Accompanied by the administration of historical monuments, consolidation and restoration work helped to save the elevations that threatened to collapse and little by little the castle regains its splendour.

At the same time, an archaeological excavation program is being conducted to enrich knowledge about the life of the Castrum and its organization in the Middle Ages.

The prehistoric era

Beneath the foot of the cliff is a treasure of parietal art: the engravings of the cave of Commarquez. These were discovered on 9 August 1915 by Abbé Breuil, Mr. Pierre Paris (then owner of the Château de Beyssac) and his sons who explored the cavities of the region.

34 engravings have been counted, including a magnificent horse carved in low relief and numerous anthropomorphic figures: pregnant woman, female profiles, etc...

The cave was declared a historic monument on February 11, 1924. Its access is not open to the visit for reasons of conservation and configuration but you can discover the prehistoric cave of Commarquez through a photo exhibition (with the assistance of the National Museum of Prehistory and the International pole of Prehistory) and a video film screened in the Great Dungeon Room.

The castle of Commarquez today.

The Mysteries of the Forgotten Fortress

Once upon a time, in a legendary valley, there was a grandiose millefeuille of stones where dungeons and castles, troglodytes and prehistoric caves are superimposed on a rocky spur in a breathtakingly preserved landscape.
You will discover the millenary history and the magic of this unique site in Périgord through a real journey in time.

Included in the entrance ticket: Guided tour, audio-guide by Guillaume Galienne, exhibitions and captivating 3D projections, nature trail, games of yesteryear and themed workshops, great medieval treasure hunt.

Guided tours during school vacations and public holidays (included in the entrance ticket)

Easter, All Saints' Day and holidays: 11am, 2pm, 3:30pm and 4:30pm

Summer vacations: 10am, 11:30am, 3pm, 4:30pm, 6pm.

Workshops (included in the entrance fee)
Archery, Flag shooting, Throwing, Stone carving, Medieval calligraphy

Easter, All Saints' Day and holidays: 2:30-5:00 pm

Summer vacations: 3:30-6pm

Sunday: archery
Monday: thruster shooting
Tuesday: archery
Wednesday: Stone carving
Thursday: Calligraphy
Friday: flag shooting

Events and Animations 

April 9/10: Easter in Commarque
Help! The golden egg is missing. Great egg hunt with chocolate rewards.

Historical Escape Game :
Your mission in this detective game will be to continue the quest of the famous archaeologist "Indy", who disappeared while trying to unravel the mystery of the Ark of the Covenant, which is believed to hold a secret protected for centuries by a diabolical mechanism.
Our historical escape game in Dordogne is a real detective game to be played with family or friends.
On reservation: https://www.lacapenoire.com/

Abseiling from the dungeon 

Abseiling with equipment from the ramparts of the keep.
Supervised by a qualified instructor
Unobstructed view of the castrum and the valley of the beune
40 m of descent, adrenaline guaranteed.

Sunday 24 - Tuesday 26 April
Friday 27 - Sunday 29 May
Sunday June 5th

July: Wednesday 19 - Sunday 24 - Tuesday 26 - Thursday 28 - Sunday 31

August: Tuesday 2 - Thursday 4 - Sunday 7 - Tuesday 9 - Thursday 11 - Sunday 14 - Tuesday 16 - Thursday 18

On reservation: https://commarque.regiondo.fr/descente-en-rappel-du-donjon-du-chateau-de-commarque

The Medieval Troop storms the fortress of Commarque!

From August 14 to 24, every day, discover the life of a medieval troop and shiver in front of real fighters equipped with authentic medieval armors and weapons.

The night journey, between mysteries and lights

In 2023, discover Commarque under a new day and new nights!
For the first time in centuries, the castle of Commarque lights up in the heart of summer to bring back the reliefs of the past. When legends meet history around the Ark of the Covenant, the lights intertwine in an original choreography and bring the forgotten valley back to life. Along a path all in lights, come to live a magic moment where twilight and dungeons meet around history and mysteries.

Sparklers Sound Festival
For its 2nd edition, the Sparklers Tribe Festival invests again the site of the castle of Commarque in Dordogne for two evenings of original concerts. On the program, a line-up and crazy animations in a magical setting!

Access/visit for people with disabilities and reduced mobility

The peculiarity of the site of Combrand does not allow people in situations of Motor handicap to visit the castle. Following a signs indicated from the main car park, disabled and handicapped visitors can access by car to the entrance to the site where their parking spaces are reserved.

The private part of the castle located in the valley is accessible free of charge to anyone with handicap or mobility impairment who can enjoy a magnificent viewpoint on the castle of Commarque and the castle of Laussel. We offer a simplified tour booklet.