Château et jardins de Losse

Five kilometers from Montignac-Lascaux and about 10 km from our campground, on the road to Les Eyzies, the castle of Losse, classified as a historical monument, watches over the Vézère.

The medieval fortress, surrounded by walls and deep ditches, was replaced in 1576 by an elegant pleasure castle. Access is via the fortified Châtelet, one of the largest defenses of its kind in southern France.

A bridge spanning the deep moat that surrounds the walls on three sides leads through the châtelet to the main courtyard of the castle. Like many 16th century dwellings in Périgord, it consists of various buildings with imposing pitched roofs.

Opposite the Grand Logis succumbs to the charm of this very elegant building. For the decoration of the facade, made of blond limestone, the master builder used the entire decorative alphabet of the classical Renaissance.

In 1972, the Château de Commarque was purchased by Hubert de Commarque, who began to save the site, which was completely covered by vegetation and was in a state of advanced decay.

The large and splendid terrace, leaning against the rocks, shows all the beauty of the Vézère valley.

The grand staircase and the rooms are also decorated with remarkable ornaments such as fireplaces and sculptures.

At the foot of the rock is a treasure of parietal art: the engravings of the Cave of Commarquez. They were discovered on August 9, 1915 by Abbé Breuil, Mr. Pierre Paris (then owner of the Château de Beyssac) and his sons who were exploring the caves of the region.

The remarkable decor and precious furnishings from the 16th and 17th centuries that decorate the chambers recall the living environment of John II of Losse, preceptor of Henry IV and governor of Guyenne during the reign of the last Valois and the first Bourbons. The gardens, classified and marked as "remarkable gardens", offer a charming tour around the castle.

In the Princess's garden there is a garden lounge for a really good tasting snack and a tea room. ...but there is also coffee available...