Puymartin is the fairy-tale castle par excellence in the heart of the Périgord Noir, 7 km from the medieval town of Sarlat-La-Canéda and 15 km from Les Eyzies de Tayac. In a wooded setting, the castle stands out with its two powerful and emblematic towers.
After its construction in the Middle Ages (around 1269) and until the 17th century, the castle experienced several periods of turmoil, especially due to the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion.
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 the 17th century, great decorative works helped the site to its splendor and prestige. These works included a hall dedicated to Greek mythology with grisaille painting, classified by the Monuments Historiques in 1977 and today a unique jewel in the Périgord.
A rare fact, because since the end of the Hundred Years' War (1450) Puymartin has remained a family residence to this day, still inhabited by the family and their ghost... Indeed, the castle is also known for the famous legend of the White Lady who haunts its walls.
This horror story goes back to Thérèse de Saint-Clar. She was the wife of Jean de Saint-Clar, seigneur of Puymartin Castle in the 16th century, and was surprised by her husband in the arms of her lover. The deceived husband took revenge by imprisoning her for 15 years and, after her death, had the room walled up.
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