Château de Puymartin

Marquay

Puymartin guards the ridge that separates Sarlat from the valley of the Beune, and it has guarded it for good: taken by the English in 1357, bought back and then neglected by the consuls of Sarlat, it was raised again from 1450 by Radulphe de Saint-Clar. The building campaigns of the 15th to 17th centuries left it a rare decorative scheme, including a painted chamber and a small study, the studiolo, listed in their own right. From this lineage comes the most famous legend of the Périgord Noir: in the 16th century, Thérèse de Saint-Clar is said to have been surprised by her husband in the company of her lover. The husband is said to have killed the lover and locked his wife in the north tower, where she remained for sixteen years before being walled up there. Ever since, it is said, the White Lady returns around midnight, on the staircase, in her chamber and along the wall-walks. Count Henri de Montbron, who lived in the château, claimed to have met her several times, and passing guests have reported seeing a pale figure floating near the ceiling. No known archival document attests the story, passed down by successive owners and become the very identity of the place, which today welcomes around 25,000 visitors a year. Ridley Scott shot interior scenes of The Duellists here.

La Dame Blanche de Puymartin — site du château ↗

Getting there : On the D47 between Sarlat-la-Canéda and Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, in the commune of Marquay; guided tours from April to November, parking on site. In season the château offers evening events and an exhibition devoted to white ladies. Approximate coordinates: the château stands alone in open countryside, so follow the road signs on the D47 rather than the GPS point.

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

Ambient sound