Duras

Visit Duras, Aquitaine

Duras is a small town situated in the north-east corner of the Lot-et-Garonne department of Aquitaine (south-west France).

Exploring Duras

A pleasant town, if rather quiet, Duras has one main sight that attracts the visitors: the Chateau de Duras. There is also a medieval clocktower, and a sprinkling of attractive houses to enjoy while exploring, and the impressive Maison des Vins commemorating the highly regarded wines of the region.

You can start your visit right in the town centre, where the chateau (and the grand entranceway that precedes it) are just below the main square.

Duras castle

Originally built in th 12th century, the chateau de Duras was fortified in the early 14th century, then subsequently transformed in the 17th century into accommodation more suited to residential use, with many luxurious touches being added in the process. As with many French castles it suffered important damage at the time of the revolution, but the second half of the 20th century has seen the castle substantially renovated.

Your visit to the castle leads you through a large number of imposing, and through the attractive two storied balconied interior courtyard. You also see the original bakery in the castle, the kitchen and a room with some extraordinary carpentry work (a recent but faithful reconstruction of the original), before visiting the tower and views across the valley below (there are quite a lot of steps to go up the round tower).

Duras Maison des Vins

Duras is also, of course, well known for its wines and no visit would be complete without taking a couple of bottles home with you. Much the best place to start your researches is the Maison des Vins in Duras itself which stocks a very large range of local wine and also features an exhibition about the local wine industry, and an interesting garden where you can see various vines and learn about the differences between them.

There are also a good selection of restaurants in the town where you can enjoy a meal accompanied by one of the local Duras wines.

Marguerite Duras

The renowned 20th century author, Marguerite Duras wrote her first book here (her family were from Duras) and took her name from the town (her real surname was Donnadieu).

Photos of Duras (click any picture to start the gallery)

Suggested places to visit near Duras, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Eynesse 17km; Eymet 17km; Sainte-Foy-la-Grande 18km; La Reole 20km; Sauveterre-de-Guyenne 21km; Montcaret Archaeological site 22km; Lauzun 23km; Bergerac 31km; Castillonnes 32km; Issigeac 34km; Saint-Emilion 36km; Cadillac Chateau 40km; Abbey de la Sauve-Majeure 40km; Casteljaloux 41km; Libourne 43km; Villereal 45km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Duras

Duras tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Parc et potager de Pouthet - remarkable garden (17km) : Jardins de Beauchamp - remarkable garden (19km) : Jardin du cloître Notre-Dame - remarkable garden (19km) : Jardins du Sardy - remarkable garden (21km) : Collégiale et chapelle de la Trinité (Saint-Emilion) - religious monument (36km) : Eglise de Saint Pierre (Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps) - religious monument (39km) : Abbaye de la Sauve Majeure (La Sauve) - religious monument (40km) : Jardins du château de Malle - remarkable garden (40km) :

French version: see Duras (Francais)