Château de Bonaguil
The Château de Bonaguil is a listed castle on the border between Périgord and Quercy, just an hour from Agen.
Château de Bonaguil between Périgord and Quercy
Its name « Bonne Aiguille (good rocky crag) » describes its defensive position on a steep limestone rock, the perfect place for a fortress. A major site in Aquitaine, Bonaguil is a model fortress built for the age of cannon artillery. Its architecture and its proportions show the development of military architecture from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance to the Vauban era.
The castle visit is a journey back to the age of knights with keeps, towers, drawbridge and ditches. Children can discover the Middle Ages through a range of activities : Medieval Wednesdays, craft workshops, treasure hunts, evening costumed tours. The Festival de Théâtre has been held every summer in the castle ditches since 1962 with a programme of everything from comedy to tragedy.
Château de Bonaguil can be visited by individuals, groups and school parties.
In 1975, a small part of the film Le Vieux Fusil by Robert Enrico was shot in the labyrinth of underground passages beneath the castle.
Around the Château de Bonaguil – riverside and hilltop villages
Right next to the castle, a nature discovery trail offers a different way to explore the area with details of trees peculiar to the region, old iron ore quarries and interesting viewpoints over the countryside.
There are also museums, châteaux and little villages perched on hilltops or tucked away beside the River Lot. It’s a great place for outdoor activities like walking, cycling, horse riding, boat trips, fishing, swimming and treetop adventure trails.
Arts and crafts are very well established in this part of Lot et Garonne as is its industrial heritage. In fact, several historic sites and factories dating from the Industrial Revolution offer guided tours.
For local speciality produce visit traditional markets, evening markets and farm shops for foie gras, prunes, wines, honey, meat, cheese and the local speciality : tourtière.
How to get to Château de Bonaguil
By air : to Bergerac or Agen
By road : A62 from Bordeaux exit Aiguillon then follow Villeneuve sur Lot/ Fumel. A62 from Toulouse exit Castelsarrasin and head for Moissac / Montaigu / Fumel.
By rail : to Monsempron-Libos.
Discover Lot-et-Garonne with Gîtes de France Lot-et-Garonne : Théâtre Ducourneau at Agen, Thermes de Casteljaloux"
Our selection of accommodations
Lodging
Gîte des Claux Haut
in SAINT FRONT SUR LEMANCE - Lot-et-Garonne
Lodging
Edouard Ier
in SAUVETERRE-LA-LEMANCE - Lot-et-Garonne
Lodging
Le Prince Noir
in SAUVETERRE-LA-LEMANCE - Lot-et-Garonne