Château des Bernardières
CastleHidden Treasure
Château des Bernardières, located in Champeaux-et-la-Chapelle-Pommier (Dordogne), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- Castle
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Champeaux-et-la-Chapelle-Pommier, Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 45.4765, 0.5656
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00082467
At the edge of the Périgord vert, the château des Bernardières combines a 12th-century keep, a medieval tower and Louis XIII terraces, bearing witness to a history in which Duguesclin and a future Ottoman admiral crossed paths.
History
Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the hedged farmland of the Double Périgordine, the Château des Bernardières is one of those medieval silhouettes that time seems to have capriciously spared. Its square 12th-century keep, its surrounding walls pierced by a solemn Henry II portal and its cascading terraces lined with Louis XIII balusters make up a fascinating architectural palimpsest, where each stone tells the story of a different century. What distinguishes Les Bernardières from so many other Périgord fortresses is precisely this stratification: the castle does not seek stylistic coherence, it subverts it. The round, austere thirteenth-century tower stands in stark contrast to the classical elegance of the balustrades and monumental gateway, which is accessed by a majestic staircase built on two arches over a stream. This staircase-bridge, a rarity in French castral architecture, is in itself a major architectural curiosity. The tour takes you back in time as you pass through the successive terraces, each with a different atmosphere: the severity of the Middle Ages gradually gives way to the refined layout of the Grand Siècle. The inner courtyard, the beating heart of the château, provides a striking confrontation between the square keep and the round tower, united by a surrounding wall like two stone guardians. Situated in the commune of Champeaux-et-la-Chapelle-Pommier, in the north of the Dordogne, the site benefits from an unspoilt natural setting: oak undergrowth, steep-sided streams and rolling hedged farmland form a discreet setting that reinforces the feeling of historical isolation. The golden late afternoon light on the Bernardières rock alone is worth a diversion for photographers. Listed as a Historic Monument in 2016, this château is still rarely visited, far from the saturated tourist circuits, which gives it a rare atmosphere of authenticity. Lovers of heritage off the beaten track will find a reward worthy of their curiosity.
Architecture
The Château des Bernardières is a composite castral complex whose interest lies precisely in the juxtaposition of several building campaigns spanning the 12th to 17th centuries. The original core consists of a robust, austere 12th-century square keep, whose local limestone rubble masonry still retains its medieval legibility. Against this keep stands a 13th-century round tower, now dismantled, linked to it by a surrounding wall forming a defensive inner courtyard typical of Périgord castles of the period. The Renaissance and 17th-century influences can be seen in the decorative elements and fittings of the exterior. The Henri II gateway, cut into the surrounding wall, displays the typical features of the style of the same name: pilastered surrounds, moulded frieze, straight lintel topped by a pediment. The successive terraces, which rise up the slope of the rock, are bordered by stone balustrades in the Louis XIII style, with turned balusters of fine regional craftsmanship. The most remarkable feature is undoubtedly the monumental gateway opening onto a staircase spanning a stream through two semi-circular arches, a rare combination of hydraulic engineering and architectural design. The whole complex rests on the natural rock of Les Bernardières, whose granite and limestone outcrops dictate the irregular layout of the château.
Related Figures
Bertrand Du Guesclin — connétable de France, vainquit les Anglais retranchés sur le rocher des BernardièresAntoine d'Authon — seigneur des Bernardières, devint amiral de la flotte ottomane sous le nom de Barberousse II (†1546)Barberousse II (Antoine d'Authon) — aventurier périgourdin devenu pacha d'Alger et commandant de la flotte du sultanLes seigneurs des Bernardières (XIIe siècle) — bâtisseurs du donjon carré primitifLes propriétaires du XVIIe siècle — commanditaires des terrasses Louis XIII et de la porte monumentale
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Château des Bernardières located?
Château des Bernardières is located in Champeaux-et-la-Chapelle-Pommier, Dordogne department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, France.
When was Château des Bernardières built?
Château des Bernardières dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Château des Bernardières open to visitors?
Château des Bernardières is currently closed to visitors.