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Hautefort
&
Lake
Chateau Hautefort is the site of a 12th century fortress destroyed and rebuilt numerous times over the centuries. This magical chateau with the beautiful topiary gardens was used as the the film location for "Ever After". Once owned by the celebrated troubadour Bertran de Born (thorn in the side of Henry II of England ) as his summer palace and last ravaged by fire in 1968 the chateau is now restored to its' full glory. Perched high, as the name suggests, towering possessively over the pretty town with stunning views over the country-side, a visit to this chateau is highly recommended.
This is about as crowded as it ever gets! A very beautiful oasis. This lake Coucou of 7 hectares offers fishing to permit card holders only (permits sold in many shops and tabacs), cycle hire, paddle boat hire, a gym circuit, a boules pitch and shady picnic areas. The restaurant offers a panoramic view of the lake and captures even the gentlest of breezes on hot days. In the picturesque town of Hautefort there is the famous Chateau de Hautefort and the fascinating museum of medicine. For those who like the fast lane a Quad bike hire centre can be found just outside of Hautefort.
Apply
at
the
restaurant
for
cycle
hire,
pedallo
hire,
carp
fishing
or
a
game
of
boules,
the
children
can
enjoy
paddling
in
the
lake
and
the
adults
can
swim
safely.
There
is
no
life
guard
so
all
swimming
is
at
the
individuals
own
risk
and
children
must
be
supervised.
There
are
picnic
tables
along
the
banks
of
the
lake,
and
an
endurance
gymnastic
course
around
the
lake
offers
the
opportunity
to
make
up
for
a
lazy
gourmet
lunch
taken
in
the
restaurant
or
in
one
of
the
many
excellent
restaurants
in
the
Hautefort
region.
For
the
less
active,
and
to
escape
from
the
heat
of
the
day,
a
gentle
stroll
in
the
forest
may
be
all
you
will
have
the
energy
for.
The
restaurant
holds
many
Jazz
evenings
through
the
season
and
a
spectacular
firework
display
July
4th.
For
fishing
in
the
lake
or
elsewhere
in
France
you
will
need
to
purchase
a
permit
at
the
Tabac
in
the
town
of
Hautefort
or
at
other
Tabacs.
About
a
15
minute
drive
from
Lake
Coucou,
taking
the
Périgueux
road,
the
campsite
"
Les
Tourterelles"
Tourtoirac,
have
a
ranch
at
one
end
of
the
site,
where
they
have
over
30
horses
and
ponies
of
all
sizes.
You
can
go
on
a
group
trek
led
by
somebody
with
local
knowledge,
or
just
walk
your
own
child
around
marked
paths
near
the
site
on
a
shetland
pony.
If
you
are
thinking
of
horse
riding
during
your
stay
in
the
Dordogne
there
are
now
quite
a
few
centres
but
DONT
FORGET
to
bring
your
hat
with
you.
I
tried
canoeing
for
the
first
time
last
year,
just
as
well
it
was
on
the
Auvézere
at
Tourtoirac
because
it
was
not
as
easy
as
it
looks.
We
finally
discovered
that
were
going
round
in
circles
because
we
were
paddling
too
deep
in
the
water.
Paint
ball
at
"Les
Sources",
a
holiday
village
just
outside
the
town
of
Hautefort.
The
most
exciting
activity
in
Hautefort
is
the
Hot
Air
Balloon
circuit,
lift
off
is
at
the
foot
of
the
Chateau.
Founded
in
1669,
The
Medical
Museum
records
the
history
of
European
medicine
over
the
centuries
in
a
building
that
had
been
used
as
a
hospice
for
plague
patients,
as
an
orphanage
and
a
nunnery.
"The
Medicine
Museum
is
situated
in
the
former
Hospice
that
dates
back
to
the
17th
century,
built
to
a
Greek
cross
design
around
a
circular
chapel.The
owner
of
the
castle
during
this
period,
the
Marquis
Jacques
François
de
Hautefort,
wished
to
help
poor
people
thanks
to
religion's
assistance.The
Museum
is
composed
of
seven
rooms
:
the
17th
century
room,
the
boys
room,
the
chapel,
the
room
dedicated
to
the
19th
century,
the
room
dedicated
to
the
20th
century,
the
dentist
room,
the
chemist
room."
It
was
last
used
during
the
1st
world
war
as
a
hospital
for
wounded
soldiers.
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