Not to be missed

After visiting the 17th century and the basement, don't miss three must-sees: the chapel, the Brittany tower and its framework, and the communal oven - testimony to the strong bond between Hautefort and its villagers.

Not forgetting during your visit

The Tour de Bretagne and its exceptional framework

This is the castle's oldest tower, the last vestige of the medieval fortifications. It dates from the 15th century. The origin of its name is somewhat mysterious, but could be linked to a certain Jean de Bretagne, lord of Hautefort and governor of Périgord at the time of its construction. The staircase leads up to the real marvel of this tower: the wooden framework that supports the lantern created in the 17th century. It is made from chestnut, a species known for its great resistance to the passage of time. The beams still bear the marks of the journeymen carpenters who designed it.

The chapel

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, as suggested by the statue adorning the imposing walnut altarpiece commissioned by the Marquis in 1676, the chapel was originally the private oratory of the Hautefort family. The tribune overlooking the nave communicates with the château, enabling the family to attend services directly from the upper floor. The chapel
also welcomes all the villagers.

The communal oven

In the century of Louis XIV, château de Hautefort was a place of intense economic activity. The estate's products were plentiful and relations with the villagers were strong. The bread oven embodies this close relationship between the château and the village.

To keep these traditions alive, we are organising workshops to show how the bread oven works. It was behind this door that the villagers went every day to bake bread in the oven provided by the Marquis, in return for a fee.

To discover

Gardens, panoramas and treasures of the estate to extend your visit and savour all the richness of Hautefort.