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Chateau de Bonaguil

Visit Chateau de Bonaguil, Aquitaine

Château de Bonaguil is one of the best looking, best located, castles in France. It is found near Fumel, in northern Lot-et-Garonne, where it has been classified as a historic monument since 1862.

History of Chateau de Bonaguil

The castle was originally constructed in the 13th century, and then extended substantially in the late 15th and early 16th centuries - just as other castles in the region were falling to ruin or being converted to fine renaissance mansions.

The owner, Bérenger de Roquefeuil, felt a need to build an extensive castle using all the most modern defences to protect against an enemy that was not expected and never did arrive. As a result the castle never saw action, but is one of the best examples of military engineering that can be seen in the region. Bérenger de Roquefeuil also had a reputation for his sheer unpleasantness that spread far and wide.

After Bérenger died his family squandered his money and the castle fell into a state of disrepair, changing hands during the Wars of Religion when the two grandsons of Berenger fought on different sides in the war. Over the following centuries the castle had several periods of abandon and also periods when it was repaired and improved, with living accommodation being added in the 18th century.

Another period of abandon and damage followed the French revolution, until the second half of the 19th century when the local council took ownership of Chateau de Bonaguil. Between then and now the castle has undergone various periods of renovation and is now one of the most visited castles in the region.

Visiting Chateau de Bonaguil

Chateau Bonaguil is an impressive feat military engineering and a very lovely chateau to visit. Despite the changing fortunes of the castle across the centuries and having been considerably damaged during the revolution, the castle is a very impressive site to all that visit and highly recommended.

If you visit Bonaguil during the summer be sure to ask at the tourist offices for details of the feux d'artifice (fireworks) display that is held at Chateau Bonaguil one summer night each year. The castle is lit up dramatically, music is played, and fireworks fired around and from the castle (called an 'embrasement' if you see adverts). An unforgettable evening - we know of several people who time their holidays each year around the event. And it's free!

In the valley below the castle there are cafes and a few houses.

See a more detailed article about Chateau Bonaguil in our French Castles section, or see more Dordogne castles.

Suggested places to visit near Chateau de Bonaguil, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Chateau de Biron 15km; Tournon d'Agenais 15km; Monpazier 19km; Monflanquin 20km; Penne d'Agenais 23km; Villereal 24km; Belves 26km; Montferrand-du-Perigord 26km; Villeneuve-sur-Lot 28km; Frespech 29km; Saint-Avit-Senieur 31km; Beauville 31km; Bourg de Visa 31km; Pujols 31km; Beaumont-du-Perigord 32km; Cadouin 32km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Chateau de Bonaguil

Chateau de Bonaguil tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Jardin de la Daille - remarkable garden (25km) : Eglise Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Belves) - religious monument (26km) : Eglise Sainte-Croix (Beaumont-du-Perigord) - religious monument (27km) : Eglise de Notre-Dame (Lacour) - religious monument (28km) : Eglise Notre Dame (Frespech) - religious monument (29km) : Jardin de Conty - remarkable garden (30km) : Jardins de la Bourlie - remarkable garden (31km) : Jardins de l'Albarède - remarkable garden (31km) :