Camping Beynac-et-Cazenac

Have you been to Beynac-et-Cazenac?

Beynac-et-Cazenac is a picturesque village in the Périgord Noir region, just 10 km from Sarlat-la-Canéda. This village is easily recognisable, thanks to the cliff on which it stands. The cliff is 150 metres tall and overlooks the Dordogne river. This is a distinctive feature that Beynac shares with four other châteaux: Castelnaud, Milandes, Marqueyssac and La Malartrie (La Roque-Gageac). This is why the Dordogne Valley is also known as the “Valley of the Five Châteaux”.

But what really sets the town apart is its medieval past. More specifically, its château, which served as a fortress for the ancient baronies of Périgord. This status is the reason why the Château de Beynac played host to some of the most important historical figures in French and English history. Richard I, his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Simon de Montfort all visited the fortress.

Today, Beynac-et-Cazenac is a peaceful haven that values its historic past. With its charming lanes, château, panoramic views and quiet strolls along the Dordogne, it’s not surprising that it has been named one of the most beautiful villages in France by the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. The village is popular with tourists from France and elsewhere, who come to visit the Dordogne and south-west France.

So, if you’re visiting the Dordogne on a camping holiday, why not pay a visit to Beynac? Prepare to be amazed!

Did you know…?

The Château de Beynac is one of the most beautiful medieval buildings in the Dordogne. It receives countless visitors every year. But did you know that the château has been used as a filming location for many French films? Films such as The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc, Fanfan la Tulipe, The Last Duel and The Visitors II include scenes filmed within the château walls.

Both the interior and exterior of the Château de Beynac are in a remarkable state. This makes it possible for the building to be used for such creative purposes.

Activities

You won’t be short of things to do on a visit to Beynac-et-Cazenac. We strongly recommend that you start by visiting the château, to better understand the history of the village and its role throughout the years.

The château is also one of the best vantage points in Beynac. For example, the keep, at 152 metres in height, offers a fantastic panoramic view of the entire Dordogne valley. Within the château, you can also visit the church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption. The church has a stone-tiled roof, a distinctive feature it shares with many buildings in the Périgord region. This particular stone, lauze, has long been used to tile the roofs of many dwellings in south-west France.

Take some time to wander through the village’s cobblestone streets. You’ll discover countless stone houses, small squares and many lauze-tiled roofs. The old-world charm never fails to make an impression; you’ll feel as if time has stood still.

To round off your visit to the village, head to the car park. In summer, you’ll find a market where you can sample Périgord delicacies, sold by the producers themselves. A delectable experience, where you can satisfy your appetite and interact with the farmers and producers who continue the traditions of Périgord gastronomic culture. All in all, one of the most authentic destinations in the Dordogne.

After visiting the château and the village, head for the river. Although the view from the château is extraordinary, the one that awaits you as you walk along the Dordogne is just as special. Hop aboard a gabarre, a flat-bottomed boat historically used for transporting goods to Bordeaux, and discover the Valley of the Five Châteaux as you sail along the river. Just as the gabariers, or boatmen, did in years gone by.