Visit the Château de Jumilhac, in Haut Périgord

The Château de Jumilhac is immediately recognizable by its pointed towers which rise towards the sky of Haut Périgord. In the small eponymous town of Jumilhac, you will be won over by this castle whose architecture and influence oscillate between the Medieval and the Renaissance. By self-guided tour or guided tour, the Château de Jumilhac is open all year round. There are also pretty French gardens to discover. This is the opportunity to come and walk in this pleasant part of Périgord, a little off the tourist trail. Here we go ?

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A Château, a family story

The history and the first mentions of the stronghold of Jumilhac , then of its castle, begin in Antiquity. It was really in the Middle Ages that the first stones were laid to build the beginnings of the castle that we can admire today. It was not without many twists and turns , both to ward off the horrors of conflict and to add comfort and elegance . The visit to the Château de Jumilhac , from room to room, will allow you to appreciate this restructuring work , to learn more about the different protagonists who made the history of Jumilhac, but also about the work accomplished by the family of Jumilhac who found his castle in 1940 and undertook incredible renovations to open it to visitors in 1964.

Visits to the Château de Jumilhac

The Château de Jumilhac is open all year round (consult the opening hours on the information sheet ). It is possible to discover it on a self-guided tour, but the most interesting are the guided tours. They last 1 hour and allow you to immerse yourself, with the help of a guide, in the History of the Castle from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Visits to the castle roofs are an exclusive not to be missed! You will be able to discover (since 2021) the walkway , the tallest tower of the castle and admire the magnificent frames supporting the slate roofs . It's a somewhat acrobatic visit , since beyond the floors, you will have to contort yourself and face the void (it's not dangerous but impressive). We particularly enjoyed this visit which lasts 1 hour and takes place at 1 p.m. (12 p.m. and 3 p.m. in high season) by reservation .

The visit to the castle begins with its main courtyard . You will then go into the castle to discover several rooms and bedrooms on the upper floors. It is then in the wings (left and right) that the visit continues to admire furniture , period objects , displays to understand what life was like in the past in the castle. Some parts are still under renovation , the castle is becoming more and more beautiful for its visitors, who contribute through their presence to this heritage preservation .

Visiting the Gardens of Jumilhac Castle

At the beginning of the ^20th century, the estate attached to the castle consisted of more than 1400ha of land. In 1915 the castle was put up for sale and separated from these lands. The castle changes its function, it will be used as a residence for 3 families, businesses are set up in the curtain walls and even a railway station is located at the entrance to the castle! The takeover by the Jumilhac family and the consequent work over more than 60 years, will restore its appearance to the whole but part of the gardens is lost forever. However, in the year 2000, after 6 years of work, the French gardens reappeared on the terraces of the Château! You can now walk there, enjoy sumptuous perspectives of the built complex and stroll through a plant labyrinth . It is a calming and elegant place, do not hesitate to go for a walk there after your visit to the castle.

The boutique and the Tea Room

Come and relax, before or after your visit, by sitting on the terrace next to the gardens , with a quality organic tea , a cold drink and small cakes or ice cream! Right next door is the shop , which consists of books , souvenirs , for adults and for children. Games, wooden and porcelain objects... Something to treat yourself or make a gift.

The visit is now over, but it begins for you! Go to Jumilhac le Grand to discover its castle!

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