The Biron Castle

Discover Perigord & the Dordogne

The Biron castle is located in the south of the departement, at the border of the Lot-et-Garonne, about ten of kilometres from the bastide of Monpazier. I can see from my windscreen its imposing profile overlooking the landscape ; it is not a small castle !

There are places to get parked at the foot of the castle and larger car parks if you head towards Monflanquin when you arrive in the village. I am crossing the village and I have the impression to go back in time, this yellow stone village is authentic with a remarkable charm. The medieval stamp is everywhere !

I head up towards the entrance of the castle ; it is quite a climb ! I go through the large door to arrive in the lower courtyard where the ticket office is. The shop is outside ; this is rather original ! There is a possibility of a combined ticket with the cloître de Cadouin, this would allow you to get some discounts. It is free of charge for children under four years old. The dogs are allowed and the pushchairs must stay in the chapel during the visit. The tours can be either unguided or guided and audioguides are also available.

I decided to go for a unguided visit. I enter the imposing chapel where the sculpted door set the tone, its fortified aspect stuns me ; the architecture is original and the height of the vaults is impressive. The central stain glass illuminates the Gisants, they are sculpted and I have the space to turn around to admire all the decoration.

I exit the chapel to cross the lower courtyard. There are the tanks and the small stables. The view on the village is already superb ; the houses agglutinate just below me. I head then towards the Tour de la Recette which was the place where the lord got his royalties. There are historical explanations and illustrations. The floor is made of rough terracotta and a fireplace. The second floor seems refurbished with a beautiful wooden floor and the third level allows me to see the wooden frame. I go down the spiral stairway and I end up by the bakery and its bread ovens. By looking up, I can admire the tower called « English » which is the dungeon. Its architecture is different from the rest of the castle, the signs of burning are evident and the stone is a yellow-red colour. You cannot miss it !

I now go to the square building located at the centre of the lower courtyard, I climb the stairs and after several steps, I arrive to the first terrace. The people at the bottom start looking like small ants. I admire the roof of the chapel and the surrounding forest. I cross a hall with beautiful keystone to arrive in the Cour d’Honneur. There are several doors in front of me, I trust my instinct and I climb a spiral stairway which leads me to a even better terrace. I now at a higher altitude than the previous terrace, I’ll let you guess the panorama !

I go back down again, I enter in the small kitchens then I visit the lord’s residence. I cross the large reception room with its sculpted fireplace and its shiny terracotta tiles. There is large table in the room as well as the genealogical tree of the Lords of Biron. A bit further, there is the polygonal dungeon where inside a treasure trunk is well sealed. The rooms look alike in their architectural and decorative aspects. There are always some terracotta tiles, stained glasses and monumental fireplaces. None of the rooms are furnished in Biron, you need then your imagination to bring back life to the place. I find it very interesting ; everyone has his own vision of castle life ! After few rooms and few stairs, I arrive again in an attic. I find a wooden frame in a shape of an up side down de boat hull. There is a beautiful view on the church of the village from the window.

As one can guess, there are many steps in Biron, I go up and I go down, I do understand now why it is advised to leave the pushchair at the chapel. The steps are not high and relatively easy to climb up, the visit remains pleasant and does not turn into a sporting challenge day! Back again in the Cour d’Honneur, I head towards the peristyle with its six twin small columns which provide a loggia style to the place. The terrace looks like a small garden, it is flowered and there is an unobstructed view. The steps allow a small break, for a rest ! Overall, we can say the castle is really quiet !

At the ground floor, I visit the large kitchen. The word « large » is really appropriate, the room is huge, I can hear my footsteps resonating. There are the vestiges of the sinks, ovens and stoves. I can imagine all the employees rushing to prepare the meals of the lord. I discover with surprise a medieval menu : it is a copious one with five dishes ! They were not joking in the Middle Ages !

I turn back to visit the contemporary painting exhibition located in a refurbished room in the Cour d’Honneur. This exhibition is over two floors ; the huge staircase to get there is really impressive. Photos are not authorised in this part of the castle. However, you can find paintings, sculptures as well as colourful and original creations. It is a contrast between the age of the castle and the novelty of the masterpieces, the Biron castle has several centuries of Historic and artistic trends.

Once I finished with the exhibition, I go back in the large kitchen and I go past the Renaissance cabinet with has beautiful mural paintings. I pass the sentry walk (the guards had a beautiful view!) and I take the last spiral stairway of the castle : the Conciergerie. Once the door of the Conciergerie closes behind me, I am back in front of the ticket office, I have come full circle !

It took me approximately 1h30 to do a non guided-visit of the castle. There are explanatory signs that allow understanding the use of the rooms and the history of the castles. I could not recommend an order to visit, I just followed my gut feeling. I have done some twists and turns with pleasure !

The Biron Caste is a really stunning monument, a very beautiful piece of medieval and Renaissance built heritage in Périgord. The periods keep rolling to make me travel in the time. The castle has very beautiful panoramas and a 360° view on the surrounding countryside. I can see Monpazier in the distance, and with a good pair of binoculars, I can see Monflanquin ! Even if the rooms are not furnished, I could feel the inside castle life !

There are workshop activities for the children : shield creation, architecture and coinage. Ask at the reception for times. Treasure hunts are organised every Friday at 10am during summer and booking is necessary. There is also an artisanal exhibition at the bottom of the castle. The farmers market takes place in the castle every Thursday from 6pm. I recommend this site to all the people wandering in the area of Biron.