Château de Jumilhac

Jumilhac-le-Grand

The château de Jumilhac stands on a rocky spur above the gorges of the Isle, in the north-east of the Périgord vert. The medieval core, built in the 13th and 14th centuries, withstood in 1370 a siege by the troops of Bertrand Du Guesclin. In 1579 the ironmaster Antoine Chapelle acquired the estate by marriage and reunited its two parts in 1581; having financed Henry IV, he was made a count in 1597 and had his château covered with those roofs with lead finials that make its singularity. The marquisate was created in 1655. Sold in 1822 to the financier Gabriel-Julien Ouvrard, then again in 1862, the château was bought back in 1927 by Raymond Odet Chapelle de Jumilhac, who restored it. There one is shown a vaulted tower room known as the Spinner's room, with its wall drawings.

Getting there : Private property open to visitors all year, except over the end-of-year holidays; guided tour of about 1 hr 30, price €10.50 adults and €5.50 from 5 to 11 years, candlelit evening tours in summer.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound