A must-see in Dordogne Périgord! A visit to the Château des Milandes in Castelnaud is a marvellous plunge into château life in the age of Joséphine Bakerwhose destiny remains extraordinary.
The castle
Built in 1489 by François de Caumont, Seigneur de Castelnaud, on the initiative of his wife Claude de Cardaillac, this Renaissance château enjoys a marvellous panoramic view over the Dordogne valley.
Slate roofs, wood panelling, large mullioned windows and admirably preserved stained glass all contribute to the château's architectural and aesthetic charm. Renaissance fireplaces stand side by side with Art-Deco bathrooms, while gargoyles peek out from the garden and its century-old magnolias.
The garden and the park
The current garden was designed by Jules Vacherot, one of the great landscape architects of the 20th century. It is a French-style garden spread over several terraces, with fountains, boxwoods, lawns and flowerbeds giving it its distinctive character.
The large park boasts many species of trees, including Atlas cedars, a beautiful beech, cork oaks, a hackberry, tulip trees, a fine group of dogwoods and magnificent umbrella pines.
Self-guided tour with audio guide and songs by the artist.
Store. Free parking. Falconry activities (ages 5 to 12), exotic bird feeding and immersion aviary during all vacation periods.
Activities at Château des Milandes 2021
ATELIER MOUSQUETAIRE (ages 7-18)
If your children would like an introduction to fencing :
Workshop at 10:15 a.m.: Every Tuesday and Thursday
From Thursday, July 8 to Thursday, August 26, 2021.
Workshop at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. :
During the Christmas vacations on December 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31, 2021.
Workshop at 3pm:
During the Christmas vacations on January 2, 2022.
Workshop at 3:30 pm:
Sundays February 13, 20 and 27, 2022 and Sunday March 6, 2022.
Share a fencing lesson with the Seigneur de Caumont-La Force.
Children are welcomed by the son of the Lord of Caumont, who is looking for budding musketeers to present to the king. They'll wear the famous musketeer outfit, and learn how to fence in complete safety.
Attacks, parries, dodges: the workshop lasts 30 minutes and takes place in the lord's "aula", the lord's living quarters in the castle. At the end of the workshop, children can show their parents the fight they've learned. There's no extra charge for entertainment.
Places limited to 9 children, on reservation.
CHILDREN'S WOODWORKING WORKSHOP (5-12 years)
Come and play at the castle like a princess or a falconer! Discover the world of birds of prey with costumes and equipment. Surprises await you.
Children aged 5 to 12 - Duration 30 min. - Reservations strongly recommended; a parent is invited to accompany his/her child/children during the workshop (limited to one adult per family for organizational and safety reasons).
Workshop at 2:15pm (except Saturday):
Sunday, October 24 to Sunday, November 7, 2021.
Workshop at 10:15 a.m.: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Wednesday, July 7 to Friday, August 27, 2021
Workshop at 11:30 a.m. :
During the Christmas vacations on December 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31, 2021.
December 24, 2021 at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.
Workshop at 11:30 a.m. :
During the Christmas vacations on January 2, 2022.
Workshop at 3:30 pm:
During winter vacation: Monday to Friday between Monday February 14 and Friday March 5, 2022.
Parents wishing to enroll their 4-year-old child in the falconry workshop may do so subject to availability and payment of the 8.00 euro entrance fee for children over 5.
ADULT FALCONRY WORKSHOP
The workshop is open to families with children over 14. Duration 40 minutes - Reservations strongly recommended.
In particular, you'll get to handle the White-faced Scops Owl and get up close to the chaperoned Princes' Hawk!
10:15 a.m.: Every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
Thursday, July 8 to Sunday, August 29, 2021.
For the European Heritage Days: Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 2:15pm.
Limited to 9 people.
FEEDING EXOTIC BIRDS
Accompanied by our animator, children enter the exotic birds' aviary to feed them - a fun way to get up close and personal with these clever little birds!
Entertainment reserved for children aged 5 to 18
The animation takes place between 12:00 and 12:45, we do not take reservations; animation subject to availability.
Workshop at 12:00 (except Saturday) :
Wednesday, July 7 to Sunday, August 29, 2021,
Sunday, October 24 to Sunday, November 7, 2021.
IMMERSION AVIARY
To enjoy our birds all day long, we invite you to enter our exotic birds' aviary. All visitors are welcome (children aged 1 to 12 must be accompanied).
Open daily from March 27 to November 11:
May-June-September-October 10am-6pm.
July-August, 10am-7.30pm.
During the Christmas vacations from 11am to 5pm (weather permitting).
NEW! ARCHAEOLOGY WORKSHOP
Your children will be introduced to the methods and protocols of archaeology, and will discover the remains of Les Milandes. Each participant will have his or her own excavation area, and will be asked to record all discoveries in order to understand the lives of the Lords of Caumont and of past generations.
Animation at 10:15 a.m. :
Every Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday, July 14 to Thursday, August 27, 2020.
Entertainment at 5:15 p.m. :
Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2020.
For the European Heritage Days: you can dig with the whole family!
For children aged 8 to 15. Limited to 9 people, on reservation. Duration 45 minutes.
Practical information
Last admission: 1 h before closing time. This allows you to see the Château des Milandes and the upper terraces of the garden, but we advise you to allow at least 2 hours on site to enjoy all the activities on offer.
Our free parking lot is just a few dozen meters from the main entrance gate.
Disabled parking spaces are around 40 meters from the gate; please note that wheelchair users must be accompanied (a municipal road runs alongside the property between the parking lot and the château).
La Brasserie:
You can enjoy our brasserie as soon as the site opens (see opening hours).
Lunch service is available from 12pm to 3pm throughout the season; in July and August, additional service is available from 3pm to 4pm.
The brewery is located in the castle grounds, to the east of the property, and has moved into the castle outbuilding.
Sunny days bring our visitors to the terrace planted with lime trees, and if the weather turns nasty, don't worry, the Tornoli room is there.
If you wish to contact the brasserie, please call the château: 05 53 59 31 21.
We don't take table reservations, because at the château it's first come, first served!
You can also take advantage of several services at the height of the tourist season, as our visitors also have other things to do at the château, and tables are always free between 1:30 and 2:30 pm.
RATES 2021
The entrance ticket gives access to the château, the garden, the birds of prey show and other activities depending on the season.
Adults (aged 17 and over): €12.50
Children aged 5 to 16: €8.
People with reduced mobility: €10
Wheelchair users: €7
Children under 5: free
Admission is free for disabled children (upon presentation of proof).
To visit the château: free audio-guide.
Payment methods :
Cash, credit card, vacation vouchers (completed in advance). Vacation vouchers are accepted in the store and restaurant.
Please note: Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the 2021 season will undergo several changes. At present, the 2020 brochure is still in circulation, so there may be slight modifications to our opening times (shows and events) and admission prices. Our 2021 brochure will be available in July. Only the "Ornithologist for a Day" workshop has been cancelled for the season, as has the Josephine Baker Escape Game. Finally, the new mandarin aviary cannot be built this year. Thank you for your understanding.
Dates and times
Château des Milandes OPENING 2021
August 30 to September 30, 2021
9.30am - 7pm
October 2021 (except 10 a.m.-6 p.m. time change)
9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
November 1 to November 11, 2021
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
December 18, 2021 to January 2, 2022
11h00 - 19h00
February 5 to March 25, 2022
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
