The historic region of Aquitaine takes in the whole of the south-west of France. Stretching down the Atlantic coast from La Rochelle to the Spanish border, Aquitaine encompasses Bordeaux, the Dordogne, Cognac, Biarritz, Sauternes… with their myriad coastal, riverside and hilly landscapes. During the Middle Ages, the English and French fought hard for the region and it was these battles including the Hundred Years’ War that led to the construction of the Aquitaine châteaux.
The region is dotted with beautiful châteaux that often changed hands several times between the English and French forces. Once the hostilities came to end, the Aquitaine châteaux became residences for the royals and nobility. Like so many luxury châteaux in France, many became impossible drains on finances and were left to ruin. While you can still find ruined Aquitaine châteaux reduced to little more than a pile of stones, many others have been restored to their former glory. Among them are the ten in our list, all chosen for different reasons, but each and every historical monument is brimful with original features and well worth a visit.
Our favorite Aquitaine châteaux
Best Garonne views – Château de Langoirau
Perched on the right bank of the Garonne River and with wide-reaching views of the valley and to the Atlantic coast beyond, the Château de Langoirau has one of the most noble pasts of all châteaux in Aquitaine. It was built by the powerful Escousson family in the 13th century and then went on to host kings – Charles VII and Louis XI both used it as a royal residence – and presidents. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the heads of the Bordeaux parliament lived here. Today, its attractions include some of the best views of the Garonne valley in this part of Bordeaux, frescos in the chapel and the largest circular donjon in France.
Taste the wine in Aquitaine
Aquitaine boasts perhaps the most famous wine region in France, Bordeaux. Explore the region from on board a luxury hotel barge as you glide along the Garonne valley. Look out for the Château de Langoirau on the way.
> Book your Aquitaine barge cruise.
Best memorabilia – Château des Milandes
Like most of the Aquitaine châteaux, this one has a long history and stunning vistas. Château des Milandes was built in 1489 by the Lord of Caumont who found the Château de Castelnaud (see below) too austere for his liking. This castle is one of those in the area that most resembles the Loire châteaux with its Renaissance style and Gothic touches.
Des Milandes is also famous as the former home of the music hall singer and dancer Josephine Baker. She bought the château in 1947 and set about creating the area’s first theme park. The château pays tribute to her as one of the most iconic women in France during the 20th century, with her personal belongings and photos in many of the rooms. Don’t miss the Caumont coat of arms with its striking trio of golden leopards and the gardens designed as formal French parterres within an English park.
Best castle museum – Château de Castelnaud
Overlooking the Dordogne River and with commanding views of the Périgord Noir, the Château de Castelnaud brings medieval battles to life. Giant catapults wait to attack on the bastion and the Museum of Medieval Warfare houses a large collection of weapons and armour. Much of the fortress remains in its original 12th century state with the 14th century additions such as the keep also intact. Château de Castelnaud has a year round calendar of events including demonstrations on how to fire a trebuchet and wear a coat of armour. This exceptional example of a riverside château will fascinate minds young and old.
Best medieval castle – Château de Roquetaillade
If you’re looking for the quintessential Aquitaine castle where you can imagine knights in armour defending the fortress to the last, visit Roquetaillade. The château is known as the jewel in the Bordeaux medieval crown and certainly offers a true castle experience. Still lived in by the same family for many generations, the six round towers that encase the taller square keep was extensively restored in the 1860s and made it a beautiful family residence. As a result, the interiors are among the most sumptuous you’ll see at any Aquitaine châteaux and as such provide a beautiful reception for visitors.
Best Dordogne views – Château de Beynac
When it comes to fine vistas, there’s plenty of competition amongst country houses in Aquitaine where hilly terrain provides excellent natural vantage points. Château de Beynac boasts one of the best, carved into a granite rock face high above the Dordogne River and with commanding views over the valley. It was chosen as a site for a defensive fortress in the 12th century and hosted Richard the Lionheart and Simon de Montfort during the Crusades.
The original keep still stands at the centre of 15th century additions and Renaissance improvements. Rivalling the views are the murals in the oratory and the painted walnut fireplace in Armour Room. You may recognise Beynac as one of the locations in the film Chocolat.
Experience Aquitaine from the water
One of the best ways to explore the delights of Aquitaine is from its rivers and canals, including some of the most picturesque in France. Experience it all from on board a luxury barge hotel, river cruise or your very own self-drive boat.
Best cliff castle – Maison Forte Reignac
Tucked away in the Dordogne Valley, Maison Forte Reignac is an exceptional property and the only intact cliff château in France. The castle lies deep in the cliff, home to caves occupied 3,000 years ago and as you’d expect, the rooms go back deep into the stone. It served as a stronghold during medieval times and its location, hidden in the limestone cliffs, together with its wide-reaching views made it one of the most impenetrable fortresses of its time. Today, you can visit all the rooms, decorated in medieval style, and survey the valley from the top terrace, home to the oldest caves.
Best fortified village – Château de Commarque
Commarque served as a defensive outpost as well as a home to a whole village who lived on the fortified outcrop between the 12th and 14th centuries. Like so many châteaux of Aquitaine, Commarque witnessed battle after battle and changed hands on numerous occasions. After a particularly virulent fight in 1569, Charles IX ordered its demolition in reprisal. Despite his later pardon, the castle fell into ruins until the 1960s when restoration work started and Commarque returned to some of its former glory. Visitors can admire the inner rooms, marvel at the 80-metre tall donjon, the tallest in France, and admire the views. Don’t miss the prehistoric cave discovered as late as 2018.
Best literary favorite – Château de Boussac
Tucked away in the north-east corner of Aquitaine lies one of the region’s most austere châteaux, but also one of its most literary. The château was a firm favorite with Amantine Aurore Lucile Dupin de Dudevant, aka George Sand, who first visited in 1841 with Prosper Mérimée. Sand later returned several times accompanied by her lover, Chopin.
The original fortress has its roots in the 12th century but was destroyed almost completely by battle 200 years later and then by the ravages of time in the early 20th century. The current owners, the Blondeau, are responsible for its complete restoration since 1965. As well as Sand’s bedroom, a visit includes the enormous kitchens, the extraordinary Aubusson tapestries and the owner’s eclectic collections of walking sticks, money boxes and fruit-shaped ceramics. Prepare to say at the end like Sand, “We are won over by Boussac”.
Best organic vineyard – Château Guiraud
In an area covering some of the best-known wine regions in France, our suggestions for Aquitaine châteaux simply have to include one with a vineyard. As you’d expect, the list runs long, but we’ve gone for one producing organic and biodynamic wines.
Château Guiraud, deep in the heart of Sauternes, has over 1,800 square metres of “gardens at the heart of the vines”. The estate grows Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon grapes alongside 200 varieties of tomatoes, strawberries, peonies and aromatic herbs. Guiraud is one of the oldest names in Bordeaux wine and received the first Grand Cru Classé in 1855. Its labels now bear the organic stamp and rank among the best whites in the area. Taste them when you take a guided tour of the château vineyards.
Most elegant – Château de Vayres
While the Aquitaine comes packed with beautiful châteaux, we think the prize for the most elegant goes to Vayres. Justly famed for its beauty, the Château de Vayres sits on the banks of the Dordogne river between Bordeaux and Saint Emilion. This strategic spot for defending Bordeaux led to construction of the earliest fortress in the 13th century. Later on, English Edward II helped fund a larger fortress including the donjon standing today.
Vayres suffered considerable damage during the Hundred Years’ War and was largely rebuilt in the Renaissance style in the 1600s. Just as famous as its elegant façades are the gardens, restored to their former style by landscape gardener Duprat in 1938. The enclosed medieval garden houses square parterres growing vegetables and medicinal plants while the formal French gardens include a stunning walkway down to the banks of the river.
Aquitaine treats
Treat yourself to the best of Aquitaine châteaux as you glide in style along its emblematic waterways. And how better to do so than from on board a luxury hotel barge? Take a look and book your holiday to the heart of Aquitaine now.
> Find your Aquitaine hotel barge experience
Read more in our French castles series:
- Alsace castles and châteaux
- Canal du Midi châteaux
- Loire Valley châteaux
- Burgundy châteaux
- The history of French châteaux
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