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Chateau des Milandes

Visit Chateau des Milandes, Aquitaine

Chateau Milandes is on the banks of the river in the heart of the Dordogne department, a few kilometres south-west of Beynac - it is part of a cluster of medieval castles with Chateau Milandes and Castle Castelnaud to the south of the river and Chateau de Beynac to the north.

History of Chateau des Milandes

The castle was built in 1489 by the Lord of Castelnaud, who previously lived in the medieval fortified Chateau de Castelnaud, because Lady Castelnaud wanted somewhere a bit more welcoming to live than the Castle at Castelnaud.

The castle combines various architectural elements, with medieval towers and gargoyles reminiscent of a medieval fortress and more decorative renaissance features such as the large number of windows and ornate surrounds to allow light to flood into the building.

By the 18th century the castle had become abandoned and was falling into disrepair, a situation made worse after the revolution and a subsequent fire caused important damage in the 19th century.

In the years after 1900 the Chateau was bought by a rich businessman who carried out very extensive renovations and modifications, including the addition of towers, arcades and turrets, and soon after the formal French style gardens that surround the Chateau des milandes were designed and planted.

After the many changes and additions over the centuries it is quite extraordinary that the castle today presents such an attractive overall appearance.

Josephine Baker

Most unusually for a medieval castle in the Dordogne, it is during the 20th century that Chateau des Milandes reached the height of its fame. This began in the 1930's when the castle was bought by the famous American cabaret singer/dancer called Josephine Baker.

Josephine and her life now dominate the chateau - she had a very colourful life, from her early days as a cabaret performer with the Folies Bergeres (famously performing in a banana skirt and nothing else - the skirt is now on display at the castle), through her wartime work in helping the local French resistance fighters, and on to her subsequent adoption of numerous children from around the world - her so called 'rainbow tribe'. Josephine Baker herself was 'adopted' and much loved by the French people.

Sadly financial ruin meant Josephine had to leave the chateau in the 1960's, after which the castle changed owners several times.

The current owners have dedicated the castle to the memorable life of Josephine Baker, which is commemorated both in the chateau museum dedicated to the artist, and in the castle rooms which are decorated in art-deco style (the bathrooms are among the highlights of a visit) and feature numerous exhibits relating to the life of Josephine Baker, such as the dresses she wore when performing.

The Gardens

The extensive gardens around the castle are set over several terraces and mostly laid out in the formal French style of gardening, surrounded by a more informal park area with many interesting trees.

Other information

The castle is open from the beginning of April to the end of October, entrance price around 9 euros when we visited.

Chateau des Milandes also holds falconry displays. usually around 3pm and 4.30 pm, and lasting about 30 minutes (included in the entry price).

See a detailed article about Chateau Milandes in our French Castles section.

See more Dordogne castles.

Photos of Chateau des Milandes (click any picture to start the gallery)

Suggested places to visit near Chateau des Milandes, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Saint-Cyprien 8km; Domme 8km; Chateau de Puymartin 10km; Belves 10km; Sarlat 11km; Abri de Cap Blanc 14km; Font-de-Gaume 14km; Chateau de Montfort 14km; Les Eyzies 15km; Chateau de Commarque 16km; Abri of Laugerie-Haute 17km; Le Bugue 18km; La-Roque-Saint-Christophe 19km; Cadouin 19km; Limeuil 19km; Saint-Leon-sur-Vezere 21km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Chateau des Milandes

Chateau des Milandes tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Jardins de Marqueyssac - remarkable garden (4km) : Jardin de Conty - remarkable garden (5km) : Jardins de l'Albarède - remarkable garden (6km) : Jardins du château de Caudon - remarkable garden (8km) : Eglise notre-Dame de Nativité (Cenac-et-Saint-Julien) - religious monument (8km) : Eglise Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Belves) - religious monument (10km) : Cathédrale Saint-Sardos (Sarlat) - religious monument (11km) : Jardins de la Bourlie - remarkable garden (13km) :