Chateau D´Arnac

Chateau D´Arnac description

Château D’Arnac is situated close to Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, in the picturesque and unspoilt countryside of the Dordogne region of France. This 15th century fairy tale Château is idyllically situated within private and extensive grounds.  It is an ideal romantic holiday destination in France for honeymoons or weddings.

Nestled within the Château grounds is the Gatehouse: the Gatehouse is a luxury romantic getaway and provides the perfect honeymoon destination in France.

The Château dates mainly from the 15th century, with several architectural additions made over the subsequent centuries. In one of the towers on the second floor, there is a small chapel with an early fresco depicting Christ between two Moorish disciples which has been dated at 1510. There is also of evidence of Templar symbolism in the design of the wall decoration.

Richard the Lionheart spent much of his life in this part of the Dordogne valley and died at Chateau de Chalus-Chabrol in 1199. Much of England's history between 1154 and 1453 was bound up with events in South West France and the Dordogne, including Henry II's ownership and subsequent loss of the Aquitaine and his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine. It is more than likely that Richard would have known and visited Château D’Arnac.

From the 17th century to the Revolution, the château was owned by the same French noble family, les Comtes des Ferrieres. The current head of the Ferrieres family, who lives in Paris, has visited the Château in recent years.

Of special note is that Marshall Ney stayed at Château D’Arnac following the French defeat at Waterloo and was captured by French royalist forces nearby. His bedroom on the first floor is a feature of the house and, like other bedrooms on this floor, it has stunning 18th century panelling.