Set in the heart of Périgord Noir, overlooking the Vézère River, the Château de Losse offers visitors a glimpse into the rich heritage of 16th-century France. This magnificent Renaissance château, which evolved from a medieval fortress, combines grandeur and history.
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Château de Losse
A Renaissance GemA Brief History of the Château de Losse
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The origins of the Château de Losse date back to the 11th century when the Losse family, originally from Flanders, established a fortress in the Vézère Valley. For centuries, the family played a significant role in the feudal and royal spheres of France.
However, it was Jean II de Losse (1504-1580), a prominent military figure and courtier to the kings of France, who transformed the medieval fortress into the magnificent Renaissance residence that we admire today.
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Jean II de Losse, a seasoned strategist, diplomat and governor, used his experiences at the royal court to modernise his ancestral home.
He infused it with Italian Renaissance aesthetics while preserving essential defensive features. The château remained under the Losse family’s ownership until the French Revolution, after which it fell into some disrepair.
However, in 1930, the estate was acquired by the family of Prince Hàm Nghi of Annam (Vietnam), whose daughter, Princess Nhu May, oversaw its restoration and maintenance.
Today, the château and its meticulously restored gardens stand as a beautiful testament to the Renaissance period, providing visitors with a remarkable experience of history, architecture, and nature.
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Exploring the Château
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The Grand Logis
At the heart of the Château de Losse is the Grand Logis, a luxurious residence built in the late 16th century. This grand dwelling showcases the elegance and refined tastes of the Renaissance, with its pale limestone façade adorned with intricate carvings typical of the period.
Visitors can take a guided tour of the rooms, which are furnished with exquisite 16th and 17th-century pieces, tapestries, and paintings. The rooms provide a vivid portrayal of the lifestyle of Jean II de Losse, who lived through the last Valois and early Bourbon periods.
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The Defensive Architecture
Though the Château de Losse embraced Renaissance luxury, it retained many of its medieval defensive features. The château’s location on a cliff above the Vézère River, its thick walls, deep moats, and defensive towers made it nearly impregnable during its time.
Jean II de Losse, with his experience in fortifications, adapted the château to withstand artillery, equipping the towers with strategic openings for crossfire from cannons, muskets, and other weaponry.
Visitors can explore the defensive elements, including underground passageways, towers, and the dry moat, which adds to the site’s unique charm. The watchtower, a remarkable example of medieval military architecture, offers sweeping views over the surrounding landscape.
The Gardens: A Renaissance Masterpiece
The other highlight of the Château de Losse is its Jardin Remarquable, a title awarded to gardens of exceptional design and historical significance.
The gardens, reconstructed in the Renaissance style, blend harmoniously with the château’s architecture, creating an enchanting atmosphere that evokes the elegance of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Visitors can stroll through the terraced garden, where boxwood hedges and flowering plants create a labyrinth-like path that culminates at the Satyr fountain. The carefully designed corridors and open windows offer delightful views of the château.
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Beyond the terraced garden lies the Parapet Walk, bordered by fragrant rose-lined walls, leading to the Éperon Tower. The Bain des Nymphes, a rock-cut pool dating back to the 17th century, is another unmissable feature.
For younger visitors, the bamboo maze offers an engaging fun experience too.
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A Tribute to Princess Nhu May of Annam
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The château’s modern history is closely linked to Princess Nhu May, daughter of Emperor Hàm Nghi of Annam. An extraordinary woman, she became the château’s owner in 1930 and transformed the estate into a productive farm.
Her innovative approaches to agriculture earned her recognition, including being knighted as a **Knight of the Legion of Honour** and an Officer of Agricultural Merit.
During World War II, Princess Nhu May played a significant role in supporting the local population, and it is said that the château’s grounds hid weapons for the French Resistance.
Nhu May lived at the château until 1999, leaving a lasting legacy of care and restoration that resonates to this day.
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Practical Information for Visitors
Opening Hours and Tickets
The Château de Losse is open to the public from April to early November.
Visitors can enjoy a full tour of the château and its gardens, with the assistance of an audio guide available in several languages.
There is also a treasure hunt designed specifically for children, making it an excellent family visit.
Online booking is required for visits.
Refreshments
There is a picnic area and a tearoom/restaurant, the Jardin de la Princesse, where guests can also relax and enjoy refreshments.
The following ticket rates apply:
– Adult Full Rate (18 years and older): €10
– Reduced Rate (12 to 17 years old and students with proof): €8
– Children’s Rate (5 to 11 years old): €6
– Children under 5 and visitors with disabilities: free admission
How to Get There
The Château de Losse is located 5 km from Montignac-Lascaux, near the world-famous Lascaux Caves, and 18 km from Les Eyzies. Its prime location in the Vézère Valley makes it an ideal stop on any tour of Périgord Noir, a region known for its stunning natural beauty and prehistoric sites.
