The Château de Losse, along with its gardens, has been recognized as a French Historical House and Site since 1928. Situated in the Périgord region of the Dordogne district in southwestern France, the château lies near the famous Lascaux prehistoric caves, perched above the Vézère River.
Originally a medieval fortress overlooking the river, the château saw the addition of a Renaissance Hall in 1575. The structure is fortified with curtain walls and surrounded by a deep moat. Inside, the décor and period furnishings reflect the grandeur of the 16th-century lifestyle of Marquess Jean II de Losse.
The château is open to the public and is a designated historical monument. Its gardens have been recognized as Remarkable Gardens by the Ministry of Culture, and the Michelin Green Guide awards the site two stars, deeming it “worth the detour.”
History
The Losse family originated from Flanders in the 11th century and established a stronghold on the right bank of the Vézère. Over time, they became part of the feudal hierarchy and eventually pledged allegiance to the King of France.
In 1576, Jean II Marquis de Losse, a distinguished soldier and loyal servant to the Crown, built the Hall within the medieval fortress. Jean II served as a page to François I, advised the sons of Catherine de’ Medici, and was a tutor to Henri IV. As a courtier, he was influenced by Renaissance architecture, which he encountered in Paris and other contemporary locations. After a successful military career, he returned to Périgord as the General Governor of Limousin and Guyenne. At this point, he made modifications to his ancestral home to reflect Renaissance tastes, while maintaining a rustic simplicity. Due to ongoing religious wars, he also enhanced the castle’s defenses with features designed for firearms, such as muskets and cannons. Evidence of this can still be seen in the various openings in the curtain walls and barbican.
A contemporary of Montaigne, Jean II also left his mark in the form of a motto, engraved in several places within the château. Over the entrance, it reads: “Man does as he may, Fortune (fate) as she will.”
The Château Today
The château remains largely unchanged since the 16th century, aside from the natural wear of time, which is why it was listed as a Historical Monument in 1928.
Access to the château is through a bridge over the moat and a fortified gatehouse, the largest of its kind in France.
In the courtyard, the Hall’s façade (built in 1576) exemplifies Renaissance architecture, with its intricate carvings in the golden stone typical of Périgord.
On the riverside, a grand terrace built on the cliff offers stunning views of the Vézère Valley.
Inside, a grand staircase adorned with stone carvings leads to rooms featuring sculpted mantelpieces, showcasing the château’s historical and architectural significance.