Duras castle
Sounds like the perfect getaway! After enjoying the comfort of a mobile home at the pleasant La Cigaline family campsite, a visit to the magnificent Château de Duras sounds like an enriching experience. Located less than an hour from the campsite, the château offers a journey back in time through its impressive architecture and history. Château de Duras is located in the Lot-et-Garonne region, on the border with the Gironde and a stone’s throw from the Dordogne. It is an atypical example of the combination of medieval and Renaissance architecture.
History of the castle
Château de Duras, built in 1137 by Guillaume Amanieu, has a history marked by the Durfort-Duras, a powerful family. Transformed into an impregnable fortress in the 14th century, it survived the Hundred Years’ War and the Wars of Religion. The Durfort-Duras family obtained noble titles under Louis XIV and established a link with Monaco. Despite the Revolution, the château survived and was restored after being bought by the commune in 1969. It is now a jewel of Aquitaine’s heritage, with an exhibition furnished by the Mobilier National since 2018.
Access
2 Le Château – 47120 DURAS – France Latitude 44.676485 – Longitude 0.17921 
Opening hours
Last admission 1 hour before site closes. Self-guided tour or audioguide all year round. Schedules vary according to season. January: Open only during school vacations, daily from 2pm to 6pm. Closed January 1 and the rest of the month (annual closure). February, March, November, December: daily from 2pm to 6pm, except December 24th and 25th. April, May, June, September, October: daily from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm. July and August: daily from 10am to 7pm non-stop. Extended opening until 9:30pm on Thursdays.
Accessibility
Château de Duras, a key tourist attraction in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region, is open to visitors all year round. Visitors are free to wander around the château on their own, with a tour map provided at the ticket office. Explanatory panels line the entire tour route. Please note: the château is not suitable for visitors with reduced mobility or strollers (4 levels, numerous staircases, etc.). All dogs are forbidden in the castle grounds, even the smallest ones carried in the arms or in a bag.
Rates
Prices vary: €11 for adults, €8 for students, €8 for teenagers aged 13 to 18, €6 for children aged 5 to 12 and free for children under 5.
Payment methods
You can pay by :
- – Species
- – Cheque
- – Credit card
Things to do at the castle
The château offers a wide range of activities all year round, including :
- – A showcase of furniture from the collections of the Mobilier national
- – Audiovisual rooms
- – The climb to the tower
- – Discovering basements, a space reserved for servants
Discover the apartments of the duke and duchess and learn about 17th-century château life. Duras chose to furnish two wings of the Château. Thanks to a partnership with the Mobilier National, heir to the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne, furniture from ministries, the Élysée Palace, Versailles, Chambord, the Louvre, Fontainebleau…
Two rooms complete the visit to the château. The ghost room will introduce you to 5 historical figures who will tell the story of the site in their own way. The model room plunges you into the heart of the castle’s history, as you follow the evolution of the castle and its history through time.
After climbing 120 steps, you’ll discover a panoramic view of the entire Duras region.
Located beneath the Cour d’Honneur, discover this space reserved for domestic servants! The bakery, the kitchen with its 100 faggots and the well will introduce you to the life of the servants in this ducal residence.
- – Guided tour for the general public
- – Escape game
- – Play with the lights
Every summer, follow the guide for around 1h15 to discover all the secrets and history of Château de Duras. Guided tours for the general public take place every day at 11am (included in the entrance fee). Reservations are recommended!
Two escape games await you at Château de Duras! Can you make it out in under 60 minutes?
As soon as night falls, choose the colors to illuminate the Château de Duras using a mobile application. Dress it up to your heart’s content…
Exhibitions
Exhibitions at the Château all year round include “Faïences parlantes: la Révolution française dans les assiettes”, “L’Histoire continue!” and summer exhibitions of paintings and sculptures in the Salle de la Charpente in July/August.
– 4D 2024 show (dates to be announced) Every summer, every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 10.30pm, come and admire the grandiose 4D frescoes on the facades of the Château de Duras.
After taking part in a wide range of activities at the castle, you’ll still have time to relax at the campsite swimming pool!
