Yes, Marouatte Castle or Chateau Marouatte as the French call it is a genuine Medieval castle with battlements, moat, and guard towers set in 270 acres of woodlands and fields in one on the most beautiful unspoiled parts of France.  Richly decorated in antiques, art, tapestries and of course suits of armor the castle interior is a feast for the eyes.  Facilities include tennis court, heated pool, games room, and  wi-fi throughout, ten bedrooms with private bath are reserved for our retreat participant guests though in fact the castle has 18 bedrooms.

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The site dates back to Roman times when it was a guard post on the Roman road that runs below.  The castle was probably a wooden fort during the dark ages converted to stone in the late 1100s.  The current castle dates from the early 1200s with the outer bailey added in 1569.  We know it was fought over between the English and French for the next 300 years and also played a part in the French wars of religion.

 

Located in what is called the Perigord Vert in the North West Dordogne Marouatte Castle is a 55 minute drive South of Angouleme train station with fast trains to and from Paris in two hours.  Bordeaux Airport is aprox a 2 hour drive and Bergerac 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 Airport in just under 3 hours to Angouleme.   We pick up participants from Angouleme station.    

 

The nearest village with pharmacy, doctor, ATM, grocery store, bakery, restaurants and hotel is Lisle an 8 minute drive away.  The nearest big shopping area is a mere 20-25 minutes drive from the castle.  The nearest big city is Periqueux a 35 minute drive.