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Chateaux
A total of 26 which may be visited and of varying ages, all steeped in history, for example:
Chateau de Rochebrune 11th /12th C. In the 16th C the Chateau's owner, Marshal Blaise de Montluc distinguished himself
by his pitiless pursuit of Protestants.
Chateau of Montbrun Rising from its moats in a lush valley, this marvellously preserved, typical XII and XVc fortress
was originally built by Aymeric Brun on his return from the Crusade, to replace the ancient Carolingian motte-and-bailey still
visible in the park. Richard the Lion heart, after being wounded at Chalus, heard of treasure here and ordered an attack
on the castle just before he died.
Chateau of Chalus - where Richard the Lion heart was killed.
Chateau de Bonneval The seat of the Bonneval family for over six centuries, Bonneval looms above the village of Coussac,
near deposits of gold ore. The heroic Guillaume, Count of Bonneval in 1147, offered the Bishop of Limoges two lions brought
back from the Crusades as an escort. From the mid XVIIIc, the Marquis of Bonneval was instrumental in the development of
the Limousin breed of cow. The castle interior is richly furnished.
Chateau De La Rochfoucauld Home of the La Rochefoucauld family for more than 1,000 years
Chateau de Brie Built around 1500 in Gothic Flamboyant style, it is owned and occupied by the Count & Countess of
Manoir de Juaye. The interior has some fine Louise XV furniture and a magnificent granite spiral stairway in the keep.
Chateau de Lastours - at Rilhac-Lastours. Now in ruins, the XIIc keep was built on a Neolithic site and later occupied
by Gauls then Romans. The Lastours family was one of the most powerful in the old county of Limoges, from the XC on. Goulfier
de Lastour left for the first crusade in 1095, from which he returned in glory as the 'Chevalier au Lion' because of a lion
he rescued in the desert, which followed him everywhere like a pet.
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