Hautefort, majestic castle and informative hotel-dieu
Want an escape to a more intimate corner of Dordogne? Direction Hautefort, one of the great visiting sites located near Brive.
A stop on the heights of Périgord Noir, in eastern Dordogne region, is essential. And there's no need to shout, Hautefort awaits you peacefully. A pleasant village with a preserved heritage not to be missed.
Hautefort: gaillard and responsible destination!
- In 2016, the Château de Hautefort obtained the NF Environment label : visit site, making it the first eco-labeled castle in France.
- You can stroll through the magnificent paths of the castle gardens, maintained with the environment in mind: manual or mechanical weeding, treatments using eco-friendly products, implantation of ladybug larvae, etc.
- Discover the experimental organic vegetable garden made up of ancient plants and vegetables, grown from non-hybridized seeds, to rediscover the flavors of the past... And leave with seeds on sale at the shop.
- Benefit from the transmission of knowledge via various workshops: bread making, beds cutting, etc.
What to see in Hautefort?
The castle, a must-see
As you approach Hautefort, the castle's inscription in the landscape reveals its majesty and creates a particular atmosphere: in mid-season, it is not uncommon to see it sailing on sheets of mist from the top of its rocky spur . The majestic building is an ancient medieval fortress which was transformed in the 17th century by the Marquis de Hautefort into a pleasure residence.
In the 20th century, the Baron and Baroness de Bastard bought it and restored it. Unfortunately, this conservation work was reduced to ashes by a terrible fire in 1968. But more was needed to discourage the Baroness de Bastard - now a widow - from launching a new work campaign to save this place steeped in history.
The Queen of England at the Château de Hautefort
When you come to the castle, you will be able to admire the two portraits autographed by Queen Mother Elizabeth of England, mother of Queen Elizabeth II, who came to visit Baroness de Bastard in 1978.
The castle gardens
The Château de Hautefort would probably not be what it is without its incredible French garden and its 30 hectare landscaped park. Installed in the 17th century, these green spaces were redeveloped throughout the following centuries in order to magnify the splendor of the place.
Today, you can discover more than 3 hectares of boxwood beds, an almost 70m-long plant pergola or even a lawn made up of more than 10.000 boxwood plants, all cut by hand please!
The Museum of Medicine History
Located in the Hôtel-Dieu built in 1662 by Marquis Jacques-François de Hautefort, the Museum of Medicine History houses a collection of more than 6.500 objects, medical and surgical instruments, some of them rare, and more than 2.000 works of medicine, some of them exceptional. It thus fulfills its essential objective, to promote this unique Hôtel-Dieu in Nouvelle Aquitaine and on the other hand, to be passing on memory of the medical field. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions.
Activities at Château de Hautefort
- Visit the castle at nightfall, every Wednesday in the summer, with your little Gaillards
- Participate in workshops:
- Little gardener workshops
- Little artist workshops
- The history and architecture of the castle told
- Become actors in the movie studio
- Make the bread (the Hautefort palet) and bake it in the castle's bread oven.
What to do around Hautefort?
- Visit Saint-Robert et Ségur-le-Chateau (classified among the Most Beautiful Villages in France).
- Explore the multiple trails of Aye from bottom to top.
- Discover the valued and preserved industrial heritage of the Auvézère Valley: Vaux papermill and the Savignac-Lédrier forges.
Our tip Château de Hautefort and its elegant garden
Around the year 1000, Lord Guy de Lastours knew nothing about topiary, this art consisting of pruning trees and shrubs in an architectural manner. What he loved was to radically cut down an enemy with great blows of his sword, and at the time of rest to feel safe behind the thick walls of his fortress. Less bellicose and more refined successors embellished the Château de Hautefort from the 17th century onwards, ensuring that they added a splendid French garden where you can stroll today between yew and boxwood bushes carved like lace.
Château de Hautefort,
Village,
24390 Hautefort
+05 (53)50 51 23 XNUMX XNUMX
Pratical information
Where is Hautefort located?
The village of Hautefort is located 30 km from Montignac, 70 km from Sarlat and 40 km from Brive. It takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour to drive from Brive.
Prepare your visit to Hautefort
- Open from April 1 to November 5, 2023
- For the castle and gardens: self-guided or guided tours (only for groups) every day from April to October, weekends and public holidays in March and November. Hours and prices: www.chateau-hautefort.com
- For the Museum of Medicine History: visits every day and guided tours upon reservation during the opening period from April to November. Hours and prices: www.musee-hautefort.fr
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