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If you’re looking to visit the beautiful castles in Dordogne you might want to add Château de Puymartin to your list. It might be small but it’s a wonderful example of medieval architecture and with a ghost to boot, you can’t go wrong!
We stopped by Château de Puymartin during our visit to Sarlat-La-Caneda towards the end of our road trip around France and Italy. We were there for a quick 5-day visit, staying with a friend of ours who had just moved to the province.
We found it to be a place filled with charming villages and overflowing with castles! Château de Puymartin has a lovely fairytale flair which makes for a nice outing but just remember, it’s not huge and it’s privately owned, which means parts are shut to the public.
In this guide to Château de Puymartin, I’m going to review our visit and share all the information we learned to ensure you know exactly what to expect for your visit.
About Château de Puymartin
Château de Puymartin is a wonderfully honey-coloured gem in the heart of Dordogne steeped in history and adorned with Neo-Gothic architecture. It was initially constructed in 1269 and expanded during the 15th century.
It’s a small fortress, which strategically guarded the road to Sarlat back in the day. During the 100 Year War (a series of conflicts waged between England and France from 1337 to 1453) it was destroyed to ensure English mercenaries wouldn’t seize it.
This left the castle in a state of disrepair for years.
Luckily, Puymartin has remained under the care of the same family since 1450, and after the war, renovations were made to restore it. Between 1890 and 1900 Le Marquis Marc de Carbonnier de Marzac undertook a major restoration, transforming the château into what we see today.
It’s filled with architectural and historical treasures and is enjoyable to walk around. You’ll notice a dry moat, narrow arrow slits built into the castle defences, and a spiral staircase leading into the north tower, which looks like something from a Disney film.
Inside, you’ll find 17th-century French ceilings adorned with a trompe-l’oeil technique – an old optical illusion used by artists. There are other interesting features like the Marquise’s bedroom which houses an old wooden toilet – a major breakthrough back in those days!
Oddly, there’s a large connection to Greek mythology which can be seen woven into Flemish tapestries from the 17th to the 19th century, and don’t miss the room which is filled with black and white paintings narrating Greek stories.
There is also the sad tale of Teresa of Saint-Clar, who in the 16th century was locked in the tower after an affair. Her ghost, the White Lady, is said to linger around the castle adding a touch of mystery to any visit!
Where Is Château de Puymartin?
Château de Puymartin is nestled in the picturesque Perigord Noir region of Dordogne in southwestern France, on top of a hill and surrounded by forests and nature.
Overview: Château de Puymartin
Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Cost: €10 adult / €5 children
Bookings: 05 53 59 29 97
Address: 454 Route de Puymartin, Château de Puymartin, 24200 Sarlat-la-Canéda.
Overall, you can expect to find an attractive and well-kept castle. The grounds and interiors have been well maintained and preserved, offering a wonderful journey through time.
Château de Puymartin superbly blends its architectural marvels with enchanting tales and family history. You’ll witness beautiful rooms filled with centuries-old furniture, paintings and interactive displays.
Whether exploring the grounds, the grand hall or admiring the Greek mythology woven into Aubusson tapestries, every room reveals something interesting about this historic gem.
When planning your visit to Château de Puymartin, you’ll need to consider a few things.
- How will you get there? You are rather limited in options as there is no bus service. The easiest way is to self-drive since there is a free car park or you could catch a taxi from nearby Sarlat-La-Caneda, which is 12 minutes away.
- Will you take a guided tour? These are the same price as self-guided visits but are only available at 10:30, 14:45 and 16:00 during peak season. You must book as they tend to fill up.
- Consider what you will wear and pack, especially if you are out for the whole day. Even though the site is small there is some walking over grassy areas and along staircases.
- Unfortunately, Château de Puymartin is not wheelchair accessible.
Dates And Opening Hours
- From April, May, June and September: Every day from 10 am to 6 pm.
- From July to August: Every day from 10 am to 6.30 pm.
- From October to November: 2 pm to 5.30 pm – Closed one day a week. For the morning, booking by phone
The White Lady Of Château de Puymartin
Do you know about the legendary tale of the White Lady of Puymartin? It’s a story that echoes through the castle’s halls and is what most visitors flock to the chateau for.
It’s the story of Thérése de Saint Clar, the wife of the noble Jean de Saint-Clar, whose life took a tragic turn when Jean, returning from battle, discovered her in an embrace with a young lord.
Overwhelmed by jealousy, Jean took the life of the lord and confined Thérése to the Northern tower for 15 long years!
She endured solitude within those stone walls until her passing but her body was sealed within the tower, condemning her spirit.
These days her ghostly figure roams the chateau, or so they say. We didn’t witness any shadowy figure lurking in mysterious corners. That said, there are a handful of visitors who have encountered her ghost, adding another layer of intrigue to Puymartin’s past.
Whether you believe it or not, the White Lady’s sorrowful tale has continued through time and attracts visitors from all over the world.
Greek Mythology At Château de Puymartin
One focal point of Chateau de Puymartin is the Mythological Cabinet room. It’s a space adorned with Greek mythology paintings in the style of grisaille – a method of painting in grey monochrome, typically to imitate sculpture.
These artworks would have been fixed to the woodwork with egg white and form a unique historical monument, rarely seen in France. However, most of the rooms in Puymartin feature a grisaille technique, such as on beams and above fireplaces.
Another highlight of Greek mythology is a collection of Flemish tapestries featuring Greek motifs, you can see these in the Big Room and are a visual journey through the milestones of the Trojan War.
Woven between the 17th and 19th centuries, these tapestries offer a glimpse into the tales of gods and heroes from Greek mythology and were one of my favourite rooms in the castle.
Spaces To Visit
There are many other rooms to explore and beautiful gardens to wander around.
- The Lower Room is a sort of museum with tapestries, furniture and family portraits.
- The Guest Room is a fully furnished room with exceptional furniture and unique tapestries which was reserved for important guests.
- The Marquise’s Room was the private apartment of the Marquise and holds a unique collection of objects.
- The Chapel, which was restored in the 19th century is the starting point of your visit. Inside there are two polychrome stone statues discovered in the castle’s moat during the restorations!
- The Attic can be reached after climbing ninety-three steps where you can admire the traditional Lauze stone roofing and surrounding landscape.
- The Veranda and Green Room was a lovely bright space with magnificent stained glass windows decorated with typical 19th-century motifs.
- Artemis’s Room is a bit of a surprise!
- The Garden provides a place of calm and unspoiled nature in the heart of the forest.
Events & Activities At Château de Puymartin
The Chateau does hold a few annual events however it’s best to check their website for smaller cultural events to ensure you don’t miss an opportunity to attend. However, here are a few to get you started:
- From mid-July to mid-August on Tuesdays, an evening of entertainment is hosted at the chateau from 20:30.
- From October 28th to 31st the castle holds immersive Halloween evenings, perfect for friends or family.
- From the last two weekends before Christmas Puymartin opens its doors for a gourmet and enchanted visit.
- For children, there are also wooden games and puzzles to be completed around the castle.
Where To Stay Near Château de Puymartin
Guess what?! You can actually stay in the castle itself! They have two guest rooms: one is just under the White Lady Room while the other is in the west wing, there is accommodation for four adults and four children.
However, if you’re not keen on being woken up by ghosts there are other alternatives in Sarlat-La-Caneda which might suit you better.
Château de Puymartin: What To Expect
We visited the castle in mid-November and luckily had a lovely sunny day. However, keep in mind that this isn’t the best time to visit as there are no tours and the outdoor entertainment, such as the bar and wooden games, are closed.
Château de Puymartin Outdoor Route
At the very start of our visit, we decided to walk around the grounds following the exterior route. It’s a series of diagrams and explanations shown on plaques situated around the castle. If you’re interested in discovering the architecture and defense systems of Puymartin this is a great way to start your visit.
It was a nice walk which took us around the castle and since we were the only two there we had time to absorb all the information. If it was busier I think it would have been more difficult as there is a lot of information provided on individual plaques rather than spread out across many, which I think would have been better.
Nevertheless, it was educational.
The grounds are lovely and well-kept, I can imagine in summer they would be filled with blooms. We had the changing season so lots of reds and burnt oranges to admire as we moved around.
As for the dry moat, we didn’t realise we were standing in it for the longest time. To me, it’s not easily recognisable and there was not much information provided on it.
In total, it took us about half an hour to walk around the outside of the castle.
Château de Puymartin Interior Visit
Afterwards, we entered the castle and spent around one hour walking around.
Firstly, you will notice the Chapel to the right just inside the entrance. It’s a very small space with no explanation of its history but it had a nice atmosphere; we didn’t spend too long inside.
Next, we followed the 17th-century staircase up to Saint Louis Court – the central square of Puymartin – and were able to see the interior walls of the castle. It’s a lovely open space with views overlooking the landscape.
There are some interesting architectural and defence elements such as two Renaissance doors with mullioned windows, a statue of a medieval knight and an arquebusier (a long gun) on display.
We weren’t able to enter the eastern part of the castle as this is where the owners live, although the Keep to the West is accessible.
We really enjoyed exploring the rooms and the north tower. The best of all, in my opinion, was the Big Room which housed the tapestries. It was really stunning; the tapestries showing the tale of the Trojan War such as the famous Trojan horse, Troy in flames, and the largest shows the kidnapping of Helen by Paris.
Another room we enjoyed was the Mythological Cabinet. This room has been classified as a historical monument and although out of keeping with the medieval castle atmosphere we enjoyed it, most likely because we enjoy Greek Mythology.
It’s one of the interactive rooms and we had fun trying to guess the answers to the questions laid out in the middle of the room. Unfortunately, we didn’t get access to the attic and since the explanatory elements of the legend of the White Lady were in French, we didn’t understand. There was also no English translation available.
With this in mind, and for this reason, visiting while there is a guided tour is a good idea, as we felt we missed out on this part of the visit.
Visitors Tips & What To Watch Out For
As with any attractions and old buildings, there are a few important things to watch out for. I’ve made a short list below to help you prepare for your visit.
- Check Opening Hours: Ensure you’re aware of Château de Puymartin’s opening hours to make the most of your visit. It would be disappointing to arrive and find the gates closed!
- Footwear Matters: The castle does have uneven surfaces and stairs, so comfortable footwear is a must.
- Weather-Ready: Périgord Noir can surprise with its weather. Pack accordingly, whether it’s sunscreen and hats for a sunny day or an umbrella for unexpected drizzles.
- Guided Tours: Consider joining a guided tour for a better experience. Knowledgeable guides can unveil hidden stories and details that will be missed on a solo adventure.
- Camera Essentials: Don’t forget your camera! The castle’s architecture, pretty surroundings, and historical treasures are picture-perfect.
- Respect the Artifacts: Remember to treat the artefacts and the castle with respect. Some items are delicate and not covered. For example, the tapestries in the Big Room should not be touched.
- Plan a Relaxing Stroll: The grounds are as enchanting as the castle itself. Plan some time for a stroll and take in the beauty of the surrounding nature.
Visiting Château de Puymartin FAQ
Who owns Château de Puymartin?
The Montbron family has owned Château de Puymartin since 1450.
Does Château de Puymartin have weddings?
It is possible to rent Château de Puymartin for weddings. In fact, the castle can be rented for many types of events such as corporate evenings, weddings, team building, parades, live shows and festive evenings and is suitable for events ranging from 20 to 800 people.
How old is Château de Puymartin?
Château de Puymartin has a history dating back to 1269, making it over 750 years old.
In Summary: Should You Visit Château de Puymartin?
As always, I would like to leave you with some of our final thoughts about Château de Puymartin to help you decide whether you should visit. It is a small castle and will not take up much of your time. As a short trip from Sarlat, for example, it’s a great place to lose an hour or so.
That said, It’s not somewhere I would recommend going too far out of your way to reach.
It’s a pretty castle with a flair of fairytale fun and since it won’t take you very long to visit it’s a great place to bring a family. Kids won’t have enough time to get bored as they might in the larger chateaus.
As for the entrance fee of €10, I do feel this is slightly overpriced as you only get access to part of the castle. However, we did enjoy our visit, especially walking around the grounds and reading about the history.
With this in mind and if you’re looking for a castle visit that won’t take up your whole day, Château de Puymartin is worth visiting.
This post is written by Abigail, who writes at I’m Going On An Adventure.
