Biron Castle and Cadouin Cloister: visit with your family!

Today, I'm taking you with us on a day trip to the Bastide Country. Beautiful architecture and wonder await, for young and old alike. Take advantage of a combined ticket (that is, two sites purchased at once, with discounts included) to visit Biron Castle, located in the Périgord Pourpre region in the town of the same name, as well as the Cloister of Cadouin, a mysterious and fascinating place steeped in a captivating history related to the Shroud of Turin … Pack a picnic, binoculars, and let's go!

Biron Castle: a stroll through time and eras!

Biron Castle, nestled in a charming part of the Périgord Pourpre region, is one of the four baronies of Périgord. Just a stone's throw from the magnificent bastide town of Monpazier, you'll find yourself on the edge of the department, facing Lot-et-Garonne. The Agenais region is visible in the distance, along with other bastides (numerous in the area). Perched on a hill, Biron Castle stands proudly, steeped in centuries of history. Park your car (easy and free parking), then begin the ascent of the stone steps, just as guests did in bygone days… Push open the wooden gate to reveal to your astonished eyes the generous , grassy inner courtyard. This is where you'll find the reception area. We opted for a combined ticket, as we planned to explore in the afternoon and visit the Cloister of Cadouin.

Biron Castle belonged to the same family for 800 years. The Gontaut-Biron family, from the 13th to the 20th centuries, remodeled various parts of the castle with an ambitious, eclectic, yet remarkably harmonious design. This is what is most striking when visiting Biron Castle: a juxtaposition of styles, allowing you to travel through different eras as you climb staircases and walk through corridors!

The appearance has changed, but elegance remains. The medieval defensive purpose of Biron Castle (whose beginnings date back to the 11th century) is evident in its towers, which confirm its function as a stronghold. The alterations from the 12th to the 15th centuries, followed by the final touches in the 18th and 19th centuries, reflect a desire for comfort, a constantly renewed modernity, and perhaps also a touch of ostentation in this monumental complex.

Another unique feature of the Château de Biron as a tourist site is that it remained empty for nearly 50 years. The Dordogne department, which has owned the château since 1978, will redecorate this magnificent medieval fortress in February 2025 thanks to an agreement signed with the Mobilier National (National Furniture Collection). Works of art, tables, armchairs, desks, beds, chandeliers, rugs, candlesticks… The rooms are regaining their former elegance with period decoration and furnishings that evoke the great moments in the château's history. In total, around one hundred ^17th- and 18th ^- century objects, on loan from the Mobilier National, now adorn the Château de Biron, which will soon see the eight bay windows of the drawing room and dining room draped with their finest curtains.

During our stroll, we particularly enjoyed the Chapel and its stained-glass windows, located in the courtyard, not to mention the magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. We also loved the Cour d'Honneur (Main Courtyard), as it's a crossroads of multiple eras: to your right, a staircase leads to the Renaissance-style quarters, while to your left, this wing of the Château dates from the 18th century. At the very top, a wooden walkway leads to a mysterious cellar, which probably dates back to the medieval period … Continuing on, you reach the old kitchens, then the breathtaking panoramic terrace with its almost 360° view.

The Cloister of Cadouin: the Abbey and its mysterious secret…

After visiting the castle, we got back in the car and headed towards Cadouin, still in the Pays des Bastides region, to visit the Cadouin Cloister. We had a picnic in the central square and explored the village using the interpretive panels, which led us to the viewpoint at the very top.

Discovering the Abbey and Cloister of Cadouin means delving into the story of the relics of Christ's Passion, which have captivated the world and brought fervor and numerous pilgrimages to Cadouin. This village, nestled in the heart of the Périgord countryside, is not very large. One will be amazed to find such a beautiful ensemble of Flamboyant Gothic architecture there.

In 1115, a small hermitage was founded in this secluded valley. A few years later, it was transformed into an abbey. At the beginning of the 13th century, a cloth was brought there that would attract the attention and devotion of many people… the Shroud of Turin! This event was also an important source of sustenance for the village and the community that lived there, which grew up around the abbey. The Shroud is a holy cloth for Christians; it is said to have covered the face of Jesus Christ and was also the burial cloth of his body after his death. Several cloths from around the world have been brought back like the Shroud of Turin, and the one from Cadouin has aroused enthusiasm and interest for centuries. A little suspense is in order to find out what it really is; I invite you to come and visit… ;)

To visit the Cloister, you can use a smartphone app, an audio guide with a mini tablet (a " video guide " available at reception), or a printed guidebook. If you are a frequent visitor to holy sites, the printed guidebook is useful, but if (like me) you need explanations, the audio guide will be more informative. Guided tours are available during peak season and holidays; I highly recommend them.

The Cistercian Abbey, a listed Historic Monument, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela. Like all abbeys, Cadouin was divided into three parts: the church, the cloister, and the conventual buildings surrounding the cloister. These latter buildings now house a youth hostel. You will visit the flamboyant Gothic cloister, as well as a small museum dedicated to the Shroud of Turin and the Cadouin manuscripts, attached to the cloister. It is a calm and peaceful place, radiating a very pleasant tranquility. We strolled around for over an hour, discovering the meaning of the sculptures, observing the play of sunlight through the naves, and enjoying the serenity…

And for the children? Workshops for fun!

The holidays are a great time for activities at Biron Castle and Cadouin Cloister!

At Biron Castle, children will love treasure hunts, medieval workshops including medieval dance, weapons demonstrations, target shooting, coin minting, and more. A rich program is offered during the school holidays. Looking for thrills? Those over 10 can even try abseiling down the castle ramparts.

At the Cloister of Cadouin, summer is lively with a variety of activities that appeal to both young and old. Guided tours, molding workshops, treasure hunts, and educational and fun activity booklets – what a pleasure it is to visit the Cloister as a family!

Learn more

• The website of Biron Castle
• The website of the Cloister of Cadouin
• My family visit to the Lascaux caves report
• Video report of the visit to the Rouffiac Leisure Centre

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