Troubadour Castle

ID: S116363

  • Bedrooms 14
  • ・ Sleeps 30
  • ・ Pets No

About this property

As you approach Troubadour Castle along the winding drive you will already be aware of its majestic surroundings with panoramic countryside views all around you. Pass through the high fortified walls and you enter a world of magical charm steeped in history, yet with the modern comforts of a sensitively restored family home.

The main part of the inner castle, within the moat, dates back to the thirteenth century and includes nine bedrooms over two wings and towers. You can dine under the vaulted ceilings of the original chapel with a finely carved wooden fireplace and ornate furnishings. The library includes antique oil paintings and Gothic bookcases filled with fascinating reference books from the past. There is a well-equipped kitchen with the modern conveniences you would expect including a dishwasher and coffee machine plus a professional stove in the old fire-place. Wander across the cloistered courtyard and up to the impressive living room with elegant sofas and medieval suits of armour or play pool and listen to music in the games room surrounded by stunningly decorated ceilings and wall murals.

A path leads to the outer bailey where you will find five further bedrooms and the magnificent Troubadour ballroom, available on request. A Gothic showpiece, with a large wood-burning fire-place and banquet table, you are surrounded by both beauty and history.

The inviting swimming pool allows you to cool down as you gaze back at the towers and castle spires or find a quiet spot amongst the formal gardens and terraces. The 270- acre estate has many walks across woodland and fields of wild flowers, blackberries and breath-taking views, it’s a truly peaceful and private retreat.

This is a unique castle which has retained so much history, it’s a striking and splendid place to stay. Guests in the past have included Sir Edward Heath and the Queen Mother, who stayed with her daughter in the two bedrooms in the elegant Salle d’Honneur wing, now known as the Queen Mother’s rooms. It’s also a haven of creativity and has been the setting for considerable song-writing. Still to this day, famous American writers and singers meet here every year to create masterpieces which have included many number one hits over the years. Guests appreciate the serenity of the grounds, the historical and elegant ambience and the timeless character that radiates across the land.

The Dordogne is well known for its rich history, fascinating castles, charming villages and fine foods, all of which are abundant in this area. The delightful town of Brantôme, just twenty minutes away, sits on the gentle River Drone and has fine restaurants and interesting shops to discover. Within half an hour you will find the impressive Périgueux, with its 11th-century cathedral, attractive medieval streets and some fine foie gras to sample. Other activities in the nearby area include golf, horse-riding, canoeing along the Drone and you can even arrange for a hot-air balloon ride to be taken over the castle grounds.

Amongst the highly decorated features, Troubadour Castle has a family warmth about it and you will made to feel extremely welcome in this historically unique holiday home in glorious and peaceful surroundings.

Troubadour Castle is located in 270 acres of land with countryside and woodland walks on your doorstep. The nearest village with facilities is Lisle (6.5km) where you will find a grocery store, bakery and a couple of restaurants and bars.

 

The nearest town is the delightful Brantôme (17km) which sits on the River Drone and has fine restaurants and interesting shops to discover. Here you can hire canoes on this particularly gentle part of the river or take a peaceful stroll along the bankside. Riberac (22km) is also a pleasant town with one of the regions best markets on a Friday morning, you could combine it with a trip to the charming village of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne (35km), one of the prettiest villages in France and well-known for its Monolithic church.

Here you are in the northern part of Dordogne, an area well known for its fine foods. There are a number of Michelin starred restaurants within half an hour's drive as well as more rustic but excellent eateries. Market days are a great way to soak up the local ambience and buy some great local foods to take back to your castle. Try the famous Friday morning market in Riberac (22km) or head to Périgueux (27km) on a Saturday or Wednesday morning, both within half an hours drive. Périgueux and Riberac are particularly famous for foie gras and you will also be able sample black truffles and walnuts from the region. Wine lovers should head south to the Bergerac wine country or a little further to St.Emilion (110km), towards Bordeaux, where you will find some excellent wine tours and tastings as well as more high quality restaurants.

The area is rich in history, throughout the region you will see signs for ‘Site Roman’ which refer to remains of medieval Roman Catholic churches, two of which can be found within a few minutes drive of the castle.  You will also find a Neolithic burial ground within less than two kilometres or head to the Grotte de Villars caves (32km) with impressive pre-historic paintings as well as stunning natural formations. The charming villages and towns in this area are also rich in heritage, such as the impressive Périgueux (27km), with its 11th-century cathedral, attractive medieval streets and many remains from the Roman times.

Further activities in the nearby area include golf and horse-riding, both within half an hour, and you can even arrange for a hot-air balloon ride to be taken over the castle grounds.  Kids will love the zip line and obstacle course about 45 minutes away near Angouleme or head to the go-kart tracks just over an hour away south of Périgueux.

Accommodation

1) Castle + Outer Bailey (30 pax)
2) Castle Only (20 pax)

Advertised prices are for up to 20 guests only in the main castle (within the moat). Up to a further 10 guests can be accommodated in the ‘outer bailey’ (within the outer walls) at an additional cost of €200 per person, per week.
Main Castle Interior

The Chapel Wing

Ground Floor
- Dining room in formal chapel with large table and chairs, finely carved wooden fireplace and ornate furnishings
- Kitchen, well equipped including dishwasher, large fridge-freezer, coffee machine and professional stove in the original fireplace. Access to cellar which can be used for storage and contains large freezer
- Library/den including Gothic bookcases, desk and lounge seating
- WC with washing machine and dryer

First Floor
- Master Suite with king-size bed and canopy. Room for additional single bed. En-suite small WC
- Separate bathroom with WC, bidet and bath/shower
- Master Suite hallway leads to a covered walkway which goes to Salle d’Honneur wing and cloche tower staircase

Second Floor (via narrow spiral staircase, stair-gate available on request)
- Double/twin bedroom with king-size bed and ornate fireplace. Room for additional single bed
- Double bedroom with queen-size bed and antique Gothic fireplace. French doors open to small balcony with valley views
- Dressing room with small balcony
- Dressing room with wash basin
- Two bathrooms with WC, bidet, bath/shower, both decorated with rare tiles from late 19th /early 20th century

The Salle d’Honneur Wing (accessed either via cloistered courtyard from Chapel Wing or via covered walkway from first floor Master Suite hallway)

Ground Floor
- Games room with full sized pool table, table football, satellite TV and DVD player

First Floor (accessed via spiral staircase in Cloche Tower)
- Lounge with sofas, chairs, large stone fireplace, CD player and MP3 player input. Ornate furniture and décor including suits of armour and painted ceiling designs
- WC and separate wash basin

Second Floor (accessed via spiral staircase of Cloche Tower)
- Small kitchenette
- Double bedroom with king-size four poster bed, large stone fireplace. En-suite with WC, bidet and bath/shower
- Double bedroom with king-size four poster bed with ornate canopy and curtains. En-suite with WC, bidet and bath/shower
- Both bedrooms known as the Queen Mother bedrooms

Garden Tower (independent access from garden and main terrace)

Ground Floor
- Double bedroom and separate WC

First Floor (via stone spiral staircase)
- Double bedroom with king-size bed and canopy. En-suite with WC, bidet and bath/shower

Maiden’s Tower (independent access from inner courtyard)

Lower Ground Floor (accessed via stone spiral staircase)
- Bathroom with large corner bath, separate shower and wash basin.
- Separate WC

Ground Floor
- Double bedroom with stone fireplace and wash basin

First Floor (via stone spiral staircase)
- Double bedroom with stone fireplace and wash basin
Please note the hot water is warmed via individual heaters and a log burning stove in the Maiden’s Tower.

The Outer Bailey Interior

Ground Floor
- Double bedroom with king-size bed and en-suite with WC, bidet and shower
- Ballroom (on request) featuring large wood burning fireplace, mistrals gallery and CD player
- Kitchen (on request) next to ballroom, well-equipped including two stoves, three fridges, dishwasher and separate pantry
- Laundry room
- WC
Please note that the Troubadour ballroom and its kitchen are available on request only and at an additional cost and increased security deposit.

First Floor
- Triple bedroom with two queen-size beds, one single bed, large balcony and en-suite with WC, bidet and shower
- Double bedroom with queen-size bed
- Twin bedroom
- Double bedroom with king-size bed
- The above three bedrooms share two bath/shower rooms and a small living room

Please note there is no central heating in the Outer Bailey but electric heaters are supplied when needed.

This wing also has the chateau office, caretakers apartment and gift shop.
Outside Grounds
- Private heated swimming pool (12m x 6m) with alarm system
- Terraces for sunbathing and al-fresco dining
- BBQ
- All weather tennis court
- Lily pond
- Gardens
- Woodland and countryside paths
- Playing field
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Central heating (excluding Outer Bailey and Maiden’s Tower – see notes above)
- Fireplace
- Satellite TV (including Sky Sports and Movies)
- CD player
- DVD player
- MP3 player input (excluding lead)
- Books and magazines
- Pool table
- Table football
- Tennis court
- Table-tennis
- Badminton
- Washing machine and dryer
- Sunbeds

Reviews (1)

  • Ralph

    If you look up the word castle in the dictionary there will likely be a picture of Troubadour Castle. It's stunningly beautiful and in an amazing part of France's Dordogne.

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