Gageac Castle - History and Facts | History Hit

Gageac Castle

La Roque-Gageac, New Aquitaine, France

Château de Gageac is an ancient monument from the 12th century. It is a château located near Gageac-et-Rouillac in the Dordogne department in south-west France. Constructed as a fortress in the 12th century, it was besieged in 1377 during the Hundred Years' War by troops loyal to Charles V of France.

Antara Bate

24 Nov 2020
Image Credit: Shutterstock

About Gageac Castle

Château de Gageac is an ancient monument from the 12th century. It is a château located near Gageac-et-Rouillac in the Dordogne department in south-west France.

Gageac Castle history

Gageac Castle was constructed as a fortress in the 12th century, it was besieged in 1377 during the Hundred Years’ War by troops loyal to Charles V of France.

Later it was converted to a residence, and it has been in the ownership of the de Vivans family for six generations. This involved embellishing the château to make it more livable including extending the main building upwards.

A large dovecote facing the castle is a notable feature. This castle is one of the most charming of South Bergerac, overlooking the Dordogne valley and surrounded by vineyards. Its architecture with simple and imposing lines makes this castle one of the most harmonious of the region.

This chateau is one of the most important in southern Bergerac, on the wine route 18 km from Bergerac and 12 km from Sainte-Foy-la-Grande. It dominates the Dordogne valley in the middle of an internationally renowned vineyard. It is listed as a historical monument by decree of September 27, 1948. Its architecture with simple and imposing lines makes this castle one of the most harmonious in the region.

Gageac Castle today

The castle is open in the summer. Guided tours of the dungeons and grounds are available. The interior of the castle is not open to the public.

The castle is in the village of La Roque-Gageac where little seems to have changed since the Middle Ages. Visitors can stroll around the picturesque houses, admire the stunning views and enjoy the lush microclimate in this little piece of Perigordian Heaven.

Getting to Gageac Castle

In a stunning position on the north bank of the Dordogne River, and backed by a steep hill, Gegeac Castle and the village of La Roque-Gageac is about 8km from the historic town of Sarlat.

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