The Château de Puymartin is located just a few minutes away from the medieval town of Sarlat in Périgord Noir. It is not the only castle in the Dordogne region, but it is one of the most famous ones, as it is believed to be the home of the White Lady who mysteriously appears at night. The ancient complex boasts not only a magnificent exterior that has changed multiple times over the years but also offers a glimpse into the apartments and reception rooms of the influential Perigord family. A visit to the castle is like stepping back in time, with its luxurious furniture, statues, paintings, and priceless tapestries collected over 600 years.
At the beginning of the Hundred Years’ War, the Château de Puymartin played an important role in the conflict between France and England, forming the border between the two countries at the start of the confrontation. On January 8, 1357, when the castle was attacked by English mercenaries, the consul of Sarlat sent negotiators to them. The mercenaries were offered money in exchange for leaving the castle. To prevent a recurrence of the capture, it was decided to demolish the crenellated walls and defensive elements of the castle’s walls and roofs. Even the floors were torn down.
Thus, the Château de Puymartin remained practically in ruins throughout the entire Hundred Years’ War. Eventually, the consuls of Sarlat managed to buy back the residence from the English, but they later abandoned it. At the end of the war, the castle was destroyed, but in 1450, Radulphe de Saint-Clar restored it.
In the 17th century, the castle became the subject of a major dispute within the family over inheritance. Jean de Saint-Clar and his sister Suzanne argued for 40 years over who would own the castle, and finally, Suzanne claimed it for herself.
By the 18th century, the castle was abandoned again and gradually fell into decay. In the 19th century, Marquis Marc de Campbell de Marzac, the grandfather of the current owner, restored the castle in a Gothic style thanks to his wife’s dowry.
Legend of the Château de Puymartin
According to legend, a ghost of a young woman dressed in white sometimes appears in the castle. It is believed to be Thérèse de Saint-Clar, who, in the 16th century, was caught by her returning husband in the arms of her lover. The woman was locked in a small room in the tower and remained there for 15 years, receiving food through a hole in the ceiling. After her death, she was walled up in the same room.
Despite the numerous changes the Château de Puymartin has undergone over the centuries, visitors can still experience the atmosphere of a medieval castle with its towers, sturdy defensive walls, and imposing main building surrounding a central courtyard. In close proximity, the village of Bré is located with reconstructed ancient dry-stone houses and the picturesque ruins of the Commarque Castle. There are also numerous prehistoric sites in the Vézère Valley, which was an important settlement in prehistoric times.
