"Another Dordogne River-Edge Site" Top 5 Page for this destination Beynac-et-Cazenac by hquittner

Beynac-et-Cazenac Travel Guide: 26 reviews and 148 photos

The Town & River Below the Castle - Beynac-et-Cazenac

A Town with A Castle Above

Beynac-et-Cazenac is a small conjoined town (pop. 511) with Beynac nestled at the base of a daunting cliff on the north (right) bank in a bend of the Dordogne river. At the top of the cliff is the heavily fortified (and partly ruined) 12C castle of Bernac which was the forward defense of the French in the Hundred Years War (with the river the as the border)against the English. It was continuously held by the Bernacs except for a 10 year period, starting in 1189, when Richard the Lionhearted took it, and again briefly a little later when Simon de Montfort held it and razed its defenses. In 1962 a millionaire bought it and has been restoring it ever since.

How We Got There

Distant View of Bernac Castle

Beynac was the last leg of a day trip out of Sarlat (10 km away). We had visited sights and sites along the Dordogne. We came to see the interior of a real medieval military fortress and were not disappointed. The views were also as impressive as those at Domme. Its owner is lovingly at work making it even more interesting.

In Bernac Town

Pros and Cons

Pros:The Castle Is THE Attraction
Cons:Walking and Climbing Are Essential
In a nutshell:Take Off from Boating and Go Inside the Castle

Last visit to Beynac-et-Cazenac: May 1994
Intro Updated Jun 2, 2009
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Reviews (6)

Unidentified Chateaux and Other Abodes Off The Beaten Path (1)

Unless you have pictures from different angles to refer to or a guide with descriptions and a map, it is hard to... more travel advice

The Church's North Door - Beynac-et-Cazenac

There is A Church at the West End (4) Things to Do (5)

Befor we left the grounds we walked to the church. Iy looked Romanesque with an early Gothic recessed door on the north... more travel advice

Go to the South Bastion for the Views... Things to Do (5)

The South Bastion has views out over the river and valley, the castle walls and the castle platform. On our tour we were... more travel advice

The Last Supper (13C Fresco) - Beynac-et-Cazenac

Examine the Oratory (2) Things to Do (5)

Off the Great Hall is the Oratory which houses a charming naive 13C fresco of the Last Supper. This is supplemented by... more travel advice

Comments (1)

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aussirose Feb 12, 2010 at 11:45 PM

Lovely photos! I can't wait to get there! We are planning our big Europe trip next year.... and this is one place I've discovered. Looks beautiful!! Cheers, Ann.