Puyguilhem Castle is located in the commune of Villars, in the Dordogne, 34 km north of Périgueux.
It was built from 1510 by Pierre Mondot de la Marthonie, then first president of the Parliament of Paris and close to King Francis I, on the foundations of an old strong house. At the death of the eminent jurist, his brother, Bishop of Dax and his nephew Geoffroy continued the work.
Renaissance style, the building passes to the family of Rastignac in the eighteenth century makes some changes and then, in the nineteenth century, the castle is abandoned and looted. Classified Historical Monument in 1915, it is bought by the State in 1939 and is therefore the subject of a long restoration project that lasts about twenty years.
Composed of two squared log houses served by stair towers, with a round tower surmounted by machicolations decorative, the main part of the castle has returned to its appearance of the sixteenth century, a fine example of the architecture of the Renaissance even if Gothic elements can be observed.
In a general way, the castle of Puyguilhem evokes the castles of the Loire Valley.
As for the interiors and their rich decoration, the renovations made in the twentieth century have also restored their original brilliance.
Belonging to national monuments, the castle is open every day from April to September and from Wednesday to Sunday from October to March. Closed on January 1st, May 1st, November 1st and 11th, December 25th. Entry: 5 and 6 euros. Information on +33 5 53 54 82 18.
