Commarque castle
Château de Commarque is a fortress built in the 12th century. Listed as a historic monument since 1943, the building has become one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Dordogne department. To discover the whole castral site, we recommend the Dordogne la Cigaline campsite, an accommodation facility renowned for the quality of its services.
A castle marked by its history
Situated at the top of the Beune valley, just a few kilometers from our campsite on the banks of the Dordogne river, Château de Commarque was designed in the 12th century to protect the Benedictine abbey of Sarline from attack. The building subsequently came under the control of the Beynac family in the 14th century. For this reason, several modifications were made to the medieval structure. Throughout its history, Château de Commarque has witnessed a number of quarrels in the region, such as the English occupation during the Hundred Years’ War. The fortress was then deserted in the 18th century, before being purchased by Hubert de Commarque in 1972. The new owner of Château de Commarque undertook the restoration of the building. The work was supported by the French Historic Monuments Administration. In addition, the archaeological excavations that began at the same time revealed a number of cave art treasures dating back to prehistoric times. The 34 engravings discovered in 1915 led to the cave being recognized as a historic monument.
Activities at the château
Today, the Château de Commarque attracts a considerable number of visitors, many of whom come to stay at our campsite with swimming pool in the Dordogne. You can explore the site on your own , or opt for a guided tour. The latter is included in the ticket during vacation periods and bank holiday weekends. Your adventure at Château de Commarque gives you the opportunity to :
- Gather information about the Commarque prehistoric cave via a projection in the main hall of the Donjon.
- Discover the medieval castrum and take a close look at the Romanesque keep overlooking the Beune valley.
- Learn about troglodytic houses.
During your vacation in a mobile home in the Dordogne, you’ll also have the chance to take part in 6 workshops run by qualified professionals: medieval geometry, parietal tracing, medieval calligraphy, archery, stone carving and a new workshop called “Draw me your coat of arms”. Game enthusiasts can also take part in quizzes, crossword competitions and an Escape Game called “le secret des brumes”. A visit to Château de Commarque is an ideal opportunity to reincarnate the world of feudalism and chivalry. On another level, a trip through the Commarque Valley is a rare chance to admire a region renowned for its biodiversity from a different angle. A real treat for the ecologically-minded!
