An event that has become a must in Dordogne
An event that has become a must in Dordogne
Since 2021, the Dordogne Departmental Tourism Committee, in partnership with Lot-et-Garonne and local tourist offices, has been organizing Châteaux en Fête, an event that has quickly established itself as a spring highlight.
Its ambition goes beyond simple tourist visits. The aim here is to open up normally private locations, to reveal sometimes lesser-known residences, and above all to offer a more lively and embodied approach to heritage.
In a department that holds the record for the largest number of castles in France, the event takes on a very special dimension. It offers a sensitive reading of the territory, between history, art of living, and heritage transmission.
Châteaux en Fête 2026: a unique format in full expansion
The 6th edition, scheduled from April 11 to May 3, 2026, marks a significant increase in scale.
With 109 castles, manors, and character properties, including 27 new participants, the event extends across the entire Périgord territory and beyond.
What makes it unique is its format: here, each location creates its own experience. There is no standardized route, nor uniform staging. The owners are the directors of their own estates.
Some open their living rooms for intimate concerts, others their cellars for private tastings. There are even those who offer immersive experiences, blending heritage, gastronomy, and artistic creation.
” Châteaux en Fête is a different way of traveling: more lively, more immersive. You no longer just look at a castle, you experience it, with its owners, in its daily life. “
Julie Vigier, event manager, Dordogne Tourisme, for the Château de Maraval
An immersive experience
Far from classic visits, often standardized, Châteaux en Fête offers, above all, a human experience.
Each property reveals a part of its history, but also of its daily life. You don’t just discover architecture or decor, but an inhabited place, maintained, sometimes passed down through several generations.
Dordogne, often nicknamed the “land of 1,001 castles,” becomes for three weeks a true exploration ground, where each open door is an invitation to discovery.
Over the past 5 years, this immersive approach has succeeded in attracting both heritage enthusiasts and visitors seeking more intimate and quality experiences.
Varied activities
The richness of Châteaux en Fête lies in the diversity of its program. Each visit will give you a new adventure!
Private visits and privileged access
Some owners offer guided tours in small groups, with access to rooms rarely open to the public. These moments provide an intimate understanding of the property, its history and its evolution.
Concerts and cultural events
Many castles become performance venues. They offer you classical music concerts, jazz, theater or contemporary performances taking place in exceptional settings, often outdoors or in historic salons.
Gastronomy and tastings
Wine estates and rural properties showcase local products: wines from Bergerac, Monbazillac and Pécharmant, but also foie gras, truffle and local specialties. Some experiences include dinners or food and wine pairings.
Historical reenactments and medieval entertainment
Knights, weapon demonstrations, falconry or period costumes bring history back to life, in an educational and accessible approach.
Workshops and crafts
You will also find calligraphy, stained glass or early music workshops, which allow you to extend the visit in a creative way.
Gardens and landscapes
Properties also open their parks and gardens, often classified or remarkable. The event then also becomes a landscape discovery, at the heart of preserved environments.
How to organize your visit to Châteaux en Fête 2026
Given the richness of the offering, we recommend structuring your visit to fully enjoy the event.
Build a coherent program
It is preferable to select in advance a few targeted properties, based on their location and the experiences offered. Organizing your days by theme—heritage, gastronomy, gardens—allows you to optimize travel and vary the pleasures.
Anticipate reservations
Although the event is free and open to all, some activities, such as dinners, concerts or private tours, require advance booking. Moreover, as places are often limited, it is best to plan ahead!
Adapt your stay
Since the period coincides with spring holidays, there is high demand for accommodation, especially in popular areas such as Sarlat or the Dordogne valley. Remember to book in advance.
Prioritize comfort
Our ultimate recommendation would be to plan appropriate attire to fully enjoy the locations. Part of the visits take place outdoors, in parks or on sometimes uneven terrain.
Finally, maintaining a certain flexibility in your schedule remains essential. Some of the most beautiful discoveries happen spontaneously…
A unique reading of the luxury real estate market
Ultimately, beyond its cultural interest, Châteaux en Fête also constitutes a privileged gateway to the character real estate market in Dordogne.
The event allows you to discover properties in their real context: volumes, environment, potential for development or enhancement. It offers a concrete perception that few classic visits can match.
For owners, it is also an opportunity to showcase their property to an audience sensitive to authenticity and heritage quality.
While for buyers, it is a discreet and inspiring way to explore opportunities, sometimes outside traditional circuits.
Our selection of castles available for sale
Castle |
Description
| Reference
Historic charming castle, ideally located in Dordogne, offering an exceptional setting with panoramic views, rich history, high-end features and strong potential for luxury residence or tourism activity.
Sumptuous 18th-century chartreuse fully renovated, nestled in the heart of an 18-hectare estate with AOC vineyard and panoramic views, offering prestigious features, outbuildings, historic chapel and peaceful living environment near Saint-Émilion.
Elegant stone manor nestled in a peaceful hamlet, near Saint-Émilion, offering five bedrooms with bathrooms, vast reception rooms with fireplaces, wooded grounds with swimming pool, character outbuildings and wine cellar, on over one hectare of land.
Elegant restored 17th-century manor, nestled in the heart of 24 hectares in Dordogne, with private lake, indoor swimming pool, outbuildings, equestrian facilities and rare features, offering a peaceful and exclusive living environment near Bergerac.
Majestic restored medieval castle, nestled in the heart of 20 hectares in Dordogne, combining historical richness and modern comfort, with French gardens, chapel, swimming pool and exceptional natural setting near Sarlat.
Remarkable 16th-century Renaissance castle, classified as a Historic Monument, steeped in history and elegance, nestled in Black Périgord near Sarlat, with character outbuildings and vast estate, offering an exceptional heritage setting.
Elegant early 20th-century bourgeois residence, nestled in the heart of wooded grounds with swimming pool, vast reception areas and outbuildings, offering strong hospitality potential or a prestigious residence near the iconic sites of Périgord.
Exceptional estate in Dordogne, offering a preserved setting of rare tranquility, without disturbances, and a high-quality natural environment. This remarkable property, with rare features and potential, is suitable both as a prestigious family residence and for a professional or hospitality project. Complete file available upon request.
Superb 15th and 17th-century castle fully restored, offering approximately 800 m² of living space in the heart of an estate of over 44 hectares without disturbances, with vast outbuildings, swimming pool, tennis court and historic dovecote, combining prestige, authenticity and modern comfort near Périgueux and Saint-Émilion.
Q&A :
The event runs from April 11 to May 3, 2026, that is three full weeks during the spring holidays.
109 castles, manors and character properties are opening their doors, including 27 new participants joining the event for the first time.
No, Châteaux en Fête is free and open to all. However, some specific activities (concerts, gourmet dinners, private tours in small groups) may require advance booking and sometimes an additional fee.
For self-guided visits, no reservation is generally necessary. However, for limited-capacity experiences (tastings, intimate concerts, candlelit dinners), it is strongly recommended to book in advance, as places are often limited.
The program is very varied:
– Private visits with access to rooms closed to the public
– Concerts (classical, jazz, early music)
– Wine tastings and local products
– Historical reenactments and medieval entertainment
– Creative workshops (calligraphy, stained glass, music)
– Discovery of remarkable gardens and parks
Yes, many activities are designed for young audiences: medieval reenactments, falconry demonstrations, fun workshops and storytelling tours will captivate children while introducing them to heritage.