Finally, a visit wouldn’t be complete without perusing the on-site shop that sells ‘everything walnut’. The museum includes a French-language film that details the history of walnuts in the region, the life cycle of a walnut tree, and shows works of art made from walnut wood. This is a working walnut farm, and you can see the walnuts being milled – a surprisingly hands-on process. It ends near a picnic area, with tables where you can sit and enjoy the peace and calm of the surroundings. There is a nature walk through the grounds, with info boards explaining the wildlife to look out for and describing the various stages of walnut tree growth and management. Walnut groves are common in this part of France, and here you can walk through the trees, watch the processing of the fruit, and learn about the history of the industry. However, within a short walk of the castle car park is the Ferme de Vielcroze, and the Ecomusee de la Noix. The list of most beautiful medieval castles in Dordogne – which are also some of the most beautiful castles in France – includes Castelnaud (cover picture), Fénelon, Beynac, and Commarque (on the picture above), and Hautefort, but there are many more!Ĭastelnaud is on most tourist itineraries when visiting the Dordogne. They were solid, imposing, fortified structures, usually in strategically important positions. The Castles in Dordogne, instead, were more functional, built to protect. These iconic châteaux were not built for protection but as elegant retreats for the nobility of Paris.
To the north, the castles of the Loire Valley were ornate, graceful structures built to impress. From fairytale castles to mighty fortresses, the Dordogne Valley boasts a stunning cultural heritage and some of France’s prettiest sites.ĭordogne was in the middle ages an important area of conflict between France and England: the famous Hundred’s Year War (1337 to 1453) between the House of Plantagenet, rulers of the Kingdom of England, and the House of Valois over the right to rule the Kingdom of France. Security against the enemy was paramount in the valley, and the wealthy were ready to sacrifice beauty and comfort for protection. One of the top things to do in Dordogne is to visit some of its medieval castles.
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