Castle ofExcideuil Castle ofExcideuil Castle ofExcideuil

Castle ofExcideuil

Fortress guarding the passage from Périgord to Limousin

Welcome to Château d'Excideuil

The castle ofExcideuil is located in the north-east of the Dordogne department in the Périgord Vert region. It is a fortress castle that has been modified over the course of its history. It boasts the only double square keep in Périgord, softened by a Renaissance châtelet.

History of the castle

Construction of Château d'Excideuil began in the 11th century, when the Viscounts of Limoges built ramparts and a keep to keep watch over the road between Périgueux and Limoges.

Its history is tumultuous. Over the years, it has regularly passed from hand to hand.

In 1182 and 1184, it was attacked by Richard the Lionheart, but resisted. It fell into English hands 15 years later when John the Earthless took control of several castles in the Viscounty of Limoges. Around 1210, the castle was returned to the viscounty. During the Hundred Years' War, it was occupied by the English in 1351, liberated again in 1356, returned to English hands in 1360 and liberated one last time by Du Guesclin in 1370.

Then came the Wars of Religion, with the Viscount de Limoges retaining control, and the property reverting to Jeanne d'Albret (mother of Henri IV), before briefly falling into Protestant hands.
Through marriage, it became the property of the de Talleyrand family. The château was then neglected for decades and fell into disrepair... in 1973, a fire ravaged the châtelet's roofs.

At the end of the 20th century, the new owners, the Naudet family, undertook restoration work. Today, the dwelling and keep are privately owned, while the western part, the châtelet, belongs to the commune.

Visit the château :

The communal part of the château d'Excideuil is open to visitors free of charge all year round: you can stroll freely along the ramparts and in the courtyard, admire the panoramic view over the Loue valley, and discover from June to October in the châtelet rooms, the painting, photo and sculpture exhibitions organized by thehe Excit'Œil associationin partnership with the Agence Culturelle Départementale and the municipality.

Equipment

Pricing details

Free open house

Dates and times

open all year round

 

Address:

Château d'excideuil 24160 Excideuil

Sector

Green Périgord

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