Visit Castelnaud Castle: tickets, prices, times

Are you planning a stay in Dordogne? So don’t miss visiting the castle of Castelnaud, a jewel of medieval art!

Castelnaud Castle is a medieval fortress built in the 12th century in the Dordogne valley. Ranked since 1966 as a historical monument, this immanquable site of the Middle Ages is located in Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Its scale, objects and numerous costume animations fascinate both adults and children. Thus, more than 245,000 people come to admire the 300 exhibited collection pieces each year!

So, ready to visit Castelnaud Castle? In this article you will find all the necessary information to discover it in the best possible conditions. History of the place, things to see and do, guided tours, schedules, access, tickets, practical advice... What to make the most of the site once on site!

Castelnaud Castle in a few words

Built in the 12th century, the castle of Castelnaud experienced an enlivened history, made of successive battles for its possession and numerous reconstructions. His dungeon and his courtesy, which we admire today, were added by the Albigeois. The fortress then passed into the hands of the English, before the French resumed it. New fortifications then emerged: bass enclosure, gunners and artillery tower.

After the 15th century, the owners tried to improve the comfort of the castle by building new lodges. Nevertheless, the building experienced a period of abandonment, leading it almost to ruin. It will have to wait for the twentieth century and the arrival of new owners. Thanks to them, the castle is restored and integrates the ranking in the rank of Historic Monument.

By buying your tickets for Castelnaud Castle, you will visit one of the best examples of medieval fortification of the Périgord. You will discover collections of arms and armours of the time and plunge into the world of warlords.

Our tips to visit Castelnaud Castle

Prepare his visit in advance

Would you like to take advantage of the places without having the nose stuck to your tour guide? By going to the online site of the castle, you can download the brochure of the site and the tour booklet. Read it before you get there. The latter will allow you to save time! In particular, you will be able to admire more and more the pieces that mark the course.

With children

For an attractive and fun visit, the site offers children from 7 to 12 years old a very well designed booklet. Composed of rebus, arched texts, hidden words, the 24 pages of illustrated games accompany children through the castle and its museum. To get it, nothing simpler: ask when you buy your tickets for Castelnaud Castle. It's free!

Reduction benefit

To discover the fortress without ruining you, several tricks are to be known. If you are lucky to stay in Dordogne in the summer, you should know that a reduced rate is applied up to 1 pm in July and August. The Discovery Pass also combines the visit of several monuments, making a 20% savings on the cost of the ticket.

Living an unusual experience

What if you take the height to visit Castelnaud Castle? Balloon flights take their departure at the foot of the monument. For about 1 hour, they can admire the architectural treasures of the Dordogne valley. Although its cost is relatively high (approximately 200 €, a discount rate according to the number of people), this experience is unforgettable!

What to do during your visit to Castelnaud Castle?

Free visit

The easiest way to visit Castelnaud Castle is to opt for the free visit. This 1-hour circuit allows you to explore the museum and the outside of the fortress. Guided by a fleach, interactive terminals, a visiting booklet, visual and audiovisual media, go to its discovery! On the programme: the rooms of the castle, the collections, the war machines and the medieval garden. Among the many things to see on site, you can admire:

• A collection of more than 250 weapons and armour from all over Europe
• The furnished dungeon
• Models of siege-engineers and nature-scale reconstructions of war machines
• The armor drummer’s workshop
• The medieval garden;
• La salle des peintures des Neuf Preux
• A presentation of seven historical characters and their costumes
• Exciting documentary about the life of the time

The animations

Apart from the free visit and the possibility of a guided tour, Castelnaud Castle offers animations for all ages. Archery shooter, bow shooter, armor try, forge demonstration, meeting with a shrub, weapon handling show... The opportunity to dive into medieval times as if you were there. In the summer evening, you can even attend a show, in which you will be invited to participate in an investigation alongside the comedians!

How much does a ticket cost to Castelnaud Castle?

The rates for the entrance of the castle vary depending on the period of the year.

• 2 November to 31 March : Adult 9,90€ / Child (10 to 17 years old) 5€ / Child under 10 years old: free
• 1 April to 1 November : Adult 10,90€ / Reduced price before 13h July-August 9,90€ / Child (10-17) 5,50€ / Reduced price before 13h July-August 5,00€ / Child under 10 years old: free
• Show in July and August : adult 15,50€ / Child (5-17) 10€
• Combined tickets visit castle/spectacle-investigation : Adult 21€ / Child (10 to 17 years old) 12€ / Child (5 to 9 years old) 10€

Payment methods accepted on site: cash, CB, checks, vacation checks.

How to book an online ticket for Castelnaud Castle?

At the beginning of 2020, it was not yet possible to book his tickets for Castelnaud Castle online. However, be careful: the official site of the monument and other platforms specialized in towers and activities should soon propose this option!

Are there guided tours of Castelnaud Castle?

Guided tours are offered from April to November and last 45 minutes. During the summer holidays, the castle offers many additional activities:

• Visit to the museum conference
• Shooting demonstration at the stbuchet
• Show of arms handling
• Spectacle-investigation

Good to know. : other activities are organized the rest of the year, during holidays, Heritage Days and early November. These visits are ideal for families! Children (but also parents) take great pleasure in getting into the skin of the seigneurs and knights of the time!

Are there visits combined with other monuments of Dordogne?

Combining the exploration of the castle and other monuments of the region of the Périgord will allow you to better know the historical and cultural heritage of the region. On site, you have the opportunity to buy twin tickets for Castelnaud Castle and Marqueyssac Gardens, at an interesting rate:

• Adult : 18€ (November to March) / 19€ (April to October) / Child (10 to 17 years old): 9€ / 9,50€
• Child under 10 : free

The PassVisitPerigord You can also access a dozen sites and monuments and the region such as the Château de Hautefort, the Gouffre de Proumeyssac, the Cave of Villars, the Parc Le Bournat or the aquarium of the Perigord Noir. Declined in version Discovery or Advantage , it will save you 20% minimum on the individual price.

Opening hours

You can visit Castelnaud Castle 365 days a year. The last admission is an hour before closing.

• February, March, October, until November 11 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• April, May, June, September 10h-19h
• July-August : 9h-20h (20h30 and 22h15 show-inquiry on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays)
• From November 12 to January : 14h-17h (except Christmas holiday : 10h-17h)

How to get to Castelnaud Castle?

Castelnaud Castle is located in the Dordogne department, in Castelnaud-la-Chapelle. It is 10 km south of Sarlat and about 2h30 from Bordeaux, Toulouse and Limoges.

By train The nearest SNCF station is Sarlat. It allows you to rally Bordeaux and Bergerac in TER. From there, many destinations are available, including TGV.

By bus It is possible to reach the castle by bus. You have to take the bus lines Transpérigord Souillac-Sarlat or Périgueux-Sarlat, and get off at the stop of Castelnaud Castle.

By plane Bergerac Airport is 65 km away. It serves Lyon , Nice, the United Kingdom, Brussels and Rotterdam. Brive-la-Gaillarde, 57 km from the castle offers flights to Paris, Ajaccio, London and Porto.

Where to park near Castelnaud Castle?

If you come by car, you have several choices to park. The nearest parking lot is just above the castle, 3 min walk away. He's paying. To park for free, prefer the parking lot located on the edge of the Dordogne, 15 min walk.

Where to stay near Castelnaud Castle?

To visit Castelnaud Castle, we recommend sleeping in the pretty village of Castelnaud Sarlat-la-Canéda . In addition to having a connecting station with major cities in the region such as Bordeaux and Bergerac, the town is very well located.

From there you will be easy to explore the sites of interest of the Black Perigord: the castle of course, but also the caves of Rouffignac, the prehistoric park of the Roc de Cazelle, the typical villages of the Dordogne. To learn more about places to sleep in the region, please read our article “ In which village house in the Périgord? "