Château de Losse

Two kilometre north of the village of Thonac, and 6kms S.W. of Montignac is the Château de Losse. It stands on an exceptional site overlooking the Vézère on a small cliff into which a huge cave has been cut. The ingenious architect has built a stone arch to support the terrace which is silhouetted in the waters below. The Château is entered through a well protected 17th century gatehouse complete with stone roof, via a drawbridge. A curtained wall with watch tower, pepper-boxes and turrets stands beside the drawbridge. The living quarters are still surrounded by moats and ramparts and when you have had your fill of gazing at the fine facade with renaissance windows, you enter the main building via a magnificent stone staircase.

The Château was built in 1575 by Jean de Baulieu, later to become Jean ll of Losse, tutor to the young King Henri lV and governor of Guyenne. The apartments are decorated with an outstanding collection of 15th and 16th century furniture and tapestries. The 17th century tapestry "Preparing for the Tourney by the Belgian Tapestry-Weaver Van de Borgt is especially worth a mention.

The Château is open to the public from April to mid-June from 11am to 5pm then from mid-June to September from 10am to 7pm. There are English language guided tours available and parking is free.