Château de Cadillac, Cadillac, France

Château de Cadillac is located at 35 km from the city of Bordeaux, it overlooks the Garonne river and the walled town of Cadillac. The monument was built at the request of Jean-Louis de Nogaret de la Valette (1554-1642), first Duke of Épernon, its primary function was to house the Dukes of Épernon. The castle thus embodies the all-powerful duke, who amasses wealth and honors before he died in disgrace during the reign of Louis XIII.

The building is both a witness of the late Renaissance, but also announces the classicism of the XVII century. Originally, the castle and two wings surrounding a courtyard on three sides, it notably has carved stone fireplaces and marble, painted ceilings of the XVII century tapestries, which testify to the splendor of the residence. Seized during the French Revolution, he served as a prison for women, then a psychiatric hospital. The castle has been reopened for tourists.

User Reviews

david gripper (2 years ago)
Visit made more interesting by theatrical presentation by the 'Duke' hemself and initiation into dances of the period...

Thomas Nikles (2 years ago)
Typical French - beautiful

Lucy Stocks (3 years ago)
Lovely place to visit, interesting history! Affordable, free for less than 26 year olds and only €6 for others. Doesn't take long to wander around the whole castle, only need 1-2 hours. Would also recommend going into the cathedral opposite the castle

John M Bell (3 years ago)
A hidden gem worth finding. Tapestries hang in almost every room. They are magnificent & have been well cared for. The walk through the castle is highlighted by English & French descriptions. Children will also enjoy the fairy tale themes.

michael & jeannie miller (4 years ago)
The staff was very kind and attentive to my needs as a reduced-mobility person. The castle had impressive original tapestries in wonderful condition, and an unusual but fascinating history of what happened there.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

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The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Château de Cadillac

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