Château Bonaguil and The Lot Valley in South France

Kingfisher offer holiday gites for rent in South France in an area known as the Lot Valley. All our holiday cottages, gites, farmhouses, villas and apartments, which can accommodate anywhere from 2 to 24 guests, are of the very finest quality and all come with their own private swimming pools.

Gites in South France – click here to search for holiday properties in the Lot Valley

The Lot valley is generally regarded as encompassing an area of about 50 miles from the River Lot between Cahors and Villeneuve-sur-Lot. It takes in parts of the three French departments; Lot et Garonne, The Lot and tarn et Garonne in the south west of France.

Located 5 ½ hours from Paris, 6 hours from St Malo and 7 ½ hours from Calais to the south of the Dordogne and north of Toulouse, this verdant, rural area of France is a very popular holiday destination amongst couples looking to get away from it all for a while, families who are looking for a peaceful and relaxing break and groups of friends. Set deep in the heart of some of the most beautiful countryside France has to offer, The Lot valley is filled with green fields, oak forests, vineyards, farmland and historic hill-top bastide towns.

It offers an invigorating, revitalising, inspiring and soulful holiday experience. Its climate is just about perfect, warm sunny days which are not too hot, turn to cool but not cold evenings making it ideal for relaxing by the pool, dining alfresco and taking long leisurely walks.

The landscape is verdant, the terrain a mixture of rolling hills, wide valleys, small farms, and pretty little market towns and villages. There are very few main roads and virtually no traffic save the odd piece of farm machinery. The countryside is reminiscent of rural England of the 1950’s, oak woods and walnut groves are criss-crossed with river valleys which seem to have formed their own, natural irrigation systems and the limestone cliffs are topped with ancient fortified towns and villages.

There are many interesting days out for the family in the Lot Valley. One of these is a trip to Château Bonguil. Located near to Fumel in northern Lot-et-Garonne. Château Bonaguil has been classified as an historic monument since 1862. Over time the Château has undergone some quite dramatic transformations. Originally much simpler and smaller than it is now, it was however, still able to hold its own during the one hundred years war and remained in its original family ownership throughout those turbulent times. It did not go unscathed though and became the subject of quite extensive renovations and modifications in the period that followed. These renovations have uncovered some graffiti on the walls dating back to the middle ages.

The History of Château Bonaguil

First built in the 13th century and subsequently extended in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, the owner at that time, Bérenger de Roquefeuil, considered it necessary to modernise and extend his defences against an enemy that never came, at least, not when it was supposed to. The Château was extensively fortified against an artillery attack, further perimeter walls were built, a moat was excavated, artillery battlements and towers were erected, all as it turned out, for no reason. No attack came and these defences were never put to the test – until later. During the French revolution of 1789-1799, the castle did sustain some quite extensive damage but even so, it remains today, a true marvel of defensive engineering.

Events at Château Bonaguil

If you visit Châteaux Bonaguil during the summer months, towards the end of July each year, look for information regarding the feux d'artifice (fireworks) display. One summer’s evening, every year, the castle is lit up dramatically, music is played and fireworks are set off around and from the castle. It makes for an unforgettable evening

Visiting Château Bonaguil

Rates and tour information for 2011

Adults and children over 13 years € 7.00 per person

Children 6 to 12 years - € 4.00 per person

Tour Groups
From 20 persons by appointment € 6.00 per person

School groups by appointment.
Free guide per 10 children € 3.50 per person

Opening Times

January and February the Château is open during school holidays only from 14.00 to 17.00 (except January 1st)

From March to October the Château is open daily from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 17.30 but there are no tours on Tuesdays in March or October

June and September the Château is open daily from 10.00am to 12.30 and then again from 14.00 to 18.00 In July and August the Château is open daily from 10.00 to 19.00

In November the Château is open on Sundays and school holidays from 10.30 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 17.00

In the December school holidays the Château open 14.00 to 17.00 except 25/12

To check on guided tour availability contact at 05 53 41 90 71

Gites in South France – click here to search for holiday properties in the Lot Valley