ACTIVITY LEVEL: Low

Join Continental DRIFTER® Experiences founder and professional tour organizer Ralph Velasco for a truly unforgettable stay in a private 11th-century castle.  This trip will concentrate on the truly magical Périgord Vert region of the Dordogne department of southwestern France.

On the trip start date guests will be picked up by private vehicle for a group transfer from Angoulême’s train station to the privately-owned Château de Marouatte and returned there at the end of the trip on the tour end date.

Scroll down for a complete day-to-day itinerary and more details about this experience, keeping in mind that all items on the itinerary are subject to change should that be necessary.

Watch this video to get more insights about this exceptional experience.

"Staying in an ancient castle was a once-in-a-lifetime experience." ~ Ken & Sue G.

"The uniqueness of staying in a castle put this trip over the top. Ralph put together a well organized trip which included interesting adventures each day balanced with relaxation time at the castle. All of the side tours were interesting and unique. The biggest challenge for me was lack of wifi in my castle tower. But lol and behold the game room with its interesting decor provided wifi. I do think the main idea behind the castle was to focus on the quiet and the people around you. I would highly recommend this tour if you like to experience something different and enjoy learning about the region." ~ Lynn D.

"A magical time in a magical location, a private medieval castle whose owner managed some of the most well known rock bands of the 80s and 90s [The Police, REM, the Go-Gos and others]. Stories filled the evening hour around the great dining hall under the watchful eye of several suits of armor. Day trips out to various stone medieval towns for open air markets, gothic churches, an abandoned abbey and prehistoric paintings some 20,000 years old hidden amongst the stalactites of limestone caverns. A unique view of another side of France." ~ Tony P.

"Ralph's trip gave us a chance to explore a part of France we would never have seen on our own. Each stop on the trip is like stepping into a picture postcard. Castle Marouatte as your home base is the perfect backdrop for your countryside adventure. And of course, you never go hungry on one of Ralph's trips. Fun times!  ~ Neil & Jennine K. 

"For me it was a trip of a lifetime because the pace was one I could handle." ~ Victoria H.

“I loved it. Staying in a castle wasn’t too shabby either! The food was well prepared and tasty. The chef and his wife were very friendly and helpful. I would go again.” ~ Marty R. 

“What a beautiful area to visit! Off the beaten path, we visited great local places. We most definitely saw a side that not many tourists venture out to. And staying in a castle? How much more magical can that be?” ~ Laurie K. 

"When you have Ralph Velasco as the tour organizer, a private castle in the Dordogne region of France, an owner who is your guide, chauffeur, and historian, what else can you ask for?  Great food, great wine, beautiful castles built centuries ago, caves where prehistoric men left their drawings on the walls, charming towns with narrow streets and lots of plants and flowers, outdoor markets and so much more.  To top it all, unique accommodations and a very small group of participants allows you to know everyone. I recommend Ralph's Alla Campagna Experiences trips highly." ~ Anne-Marie M.

• Location and Grounds:
  
  • Situated on 270 acres featuring both manicured grounds and wild forest.
  • Features a genuine Medieval castle with battlements, a moat, and guard towers.

• Accommodations and Facilities:
  
  • Comfortable and well-appointed single, double and even triple rooms, each with private bath.
  • Large swimming pool, games room, two dining rooms, and a private chapel.
  • Richly decorated with antiques, art, tapestries, stained glass, and suits of armor.

• Historical Significance:
  
  • Site dates back to Roman times, originally a guard post along a Roman road.
  • Evolved from a wooden fort in the dark ages to stone in the late 1100s.
  • The current structure dates from the early 1200s with significant additions in 1569.
  • Historical battleground between the English and French, and significant during the French wars of religion.

• Additional Features:
  
  • Home to what is said to be the second largest pigeon house in the Périgord Vert, a staple of medieval life back in the day used both as a food source and for long distance communications.
  • Described as a destination in itself, requiring a visit to be fully appreciated.

* SPECIAL NOTE: Although the rooms are very nice, each with its own bathroom, guests are asked to please keep in mind that Château de Marouatte is made up of several different buildings with guest quarters and each is quite different from the others. All efforts will be made to pair individual guests and couples with an appropriate room taking into account the number of stairs, location on the property, amount of walking, etc.  And because this is truly a medieval castle, not everything in each room is absolutely perfect and so guests are asked to visit with an open mind as this is a part of the experience.

Located in what is called the Périgord Vert in the northwest Dordogne, Château de Marouatte (a.k.a. “the castle”) is about an hour’s drive south of Angoulême train station with high-speed train connections to and from Paris arriving in about two to three hours.  Bordeaux Airport (BOD) is approximately 2 hours by car and Bergerac is about 1:20.

Getting to the castle from the US or UK we advise taking the TGV fast train from Paris' Montparnasse station (~2 hours) or Charles De Gaulle (CDG) Airport in just under 3 hours to Angoulême.

Participants will be picked up as a group on the first afternoon of the trip from Angoulême station, or you may choose to rent your own car for maximum flexibility throughout the trip.

ALL ACTIVITIES, LOCATIONS, DAYS, AND TIMING ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Most meals are included and B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, and D = Dinner

Items mentioned below in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS are included in your fee for this experience.