Château de Turenne


The château, built to protect the feudal seat of the powerful viscounts of Turenne, has beautiful views of the surrounding countryside from the 12th-century Tour de César, the arrow-straight tower. Apart from a few ramparts and a 14th-century guard room, the rest of the lordly lodgings have crumbled away, and are now occupied by an ornamental garden.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Covered Market

3.47 MILES

The slate roof of the ancient covered market shelters an equally ancient baker’s oven.

2. St-Pierre Church

3.48 MILES

The fortified St-Pierre church, constructed from the 11th to the 15th centuries on the site of an 8th-century Benedictine priory, is an important stop on…

3. Maison Denoix

7.4 MILES

Since 1839, this traditional distillery has produced the favourite Corrèze firewater, l’eau de noix (walnut liqueur), alongside concoctions such as…

4. Musée Labenche

7.46 MILES

The town’s main museum is in the beautiful Renaissance Hôtel de Labenche. Exhibits explore local history and archaeology, and there’s a collection of…

5. Collégiale St-Martin

7.53 MILES

In the heart of town, the Romanesque Collégiale St-Martin dates from the 11th century. Original parts include the transept and a few decorated columns…

6. Place des Consuls

8.31 MILES

Martel’s central square, place des Consuls, is home to the former fortress of the viscounts, Hôtel de la Raymondie, and is filled by a great market on…

7. L’Espace Patrimoine

11.92 MILES

The village’s main landmark is the 16th-century Château du Doyen, which houses a heritage centre and museum, L’Espace Patrimoine, showcasing the art and…

8. Église St-Pierre

11.93 MILES

Just inside the gateway of the Château du Doyen sit the priory and the Romanesque Église St-Pierre with a remarkable Romanesque tympanum of Christ in…