On a recent road trip of the Dordogne Valley, we stayed in some fantastic places but our favourite was the night we spent in the magical Chateaux dans les Arbres (Castles in the Trees).
Located in the Perigord, this unique place to stay consists of four delightful treehouses and two whimsical lakeside castles, all modelled on the majestic châteaux that are so common on the Dordogne.
Furnished with hot tubs, wonderful views, a communal swimming pool, eleven hectares of woodland and parkland, they offer the opportunity to completely switch off and relax in the most magical of settings.
This is the most unique place that we stayed along our road trip in the Dordogne Valley – and one of the best places to visit in France with kids – and one that we cannot wait to return to.
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Where are the Châteaux dans les arbres?
Châteaux dans les Arbres is located in Beaumontois-en-Perigord on the site of a ruined castle from the 16th century. It sits in the heart of the Dordogne Valley, within easy reach of some the region’s best sights (particularly if you are exploring the Dordogne Valley with kids). You will definitely need a car to reach here and also for exploring the surrounding area.
- From Agen, the property is just over an hour’s drive (approximately 70km).
- From Bergerac, the property is a 35 minute drive (33km)
- From Périgueux, the property is 1hr 10 minute drive (75km)
- From Sarlat, the property is an hour by car (approximately 60km).
The closest airport is the Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport, 30 minutes away.
Châteaux dans les Arbres
We arrived at the Châteaux dans les Arbres one evening in late October when the sun had already set. Positioned down a small, unlit country road, it took me several attempts to find the entrance to the property but this had more to do with my map reading skills than it did the actual location. We were met at reception by Josie and taken by golf cart to our châteaux for the night.
The property has been open since 2012 and today there are six mini-châteaux to choose from. The fairytale châteaux have all been designed and created by owner Rémi Bècherel, who has spent more than a decade building treehouses across France.
Inspired by the setting and the many magnificent châteaux of the region, he set about creating luxurious and unique places to stay, each modelled on an actual Perigort castle and each one built using wood from a sustainably managed forest.
The Châteaux de Monbazillac, for example, is modelled on the 16th-century Monbazillac Castle next to Bergerac and the Hautefort treehouse, mimics the architecture of the Château de Hautefort with two turrets in the front and two square turrets behind.
Our home for the night was Château Biron, a magnifique castle on the lake with views of the real Château Biron in the distance. We had spent the afternoon at the giant stone castle, soaking up its nearly 1,000 years of history, so it was fitting that we spend the evening at its doppelgänger.
Each château is equipped with all the comforts you might expect at a luxury hotel: decadent double beds, large terraces, bathrooms with spacious walk-in showers and private jacuzzis.
Château Biron
No sooner did we spy our château, with its wooden witch-hat turrets, wide terrace with views over our private lake (with resident ducks), and our very own hot tub, then we were smitten. Inside, our château enjoyed a beachy theme with glass floor tiles filled with sand and shells, a driftwood headboard on our large double bed, and a giant shell-shaped bathroom sink.
As with the other château, Biron is equipped with heating and air con, luxury linen, towels and bathrobes, a walk in rain shower, a coffee machine and kettle, and a mini bar with sodas, beer, cider and champagne.
Not long after dropping our bags in the room we changed into our swimsuits for an evening soak. The hot tub – located along its own private jetty under a wooden canopy – was just what we needed after a busy day sightseeing.
My youngest enjoyed their time soaking (and swimming) among the bubbles that they woke up early the following morning to enjoy a second dip!
If you visit between May and September then the property’s communal swimming pool is open to guests, however, it was closed when we visited in October.
Choose your Château
If Châteaux Biron is not available or if you fancy trying one of the other fairytale escapes:
- Milandes Tree house, sleeps two adults and welcomes children.
- Monbazillac Treehouse, sleeps two adults.
- Hautefort Treehouse, can sleep up to six people, including children, and comes with a kitchen. This is ideal if you are visiting the Dordogne with kids.
- Puybeton Treehouse Spa, sleeps two adults and comes with a sunken overflow hot tub and a freestanding bath.
- Chateau Jumilhac, the second floating chateau. Sleeps two adults.
Dining at Châteaux dans les arbres
One of the things I love most about this fairytale location is the invitation to switch off and unwind. This also goes for dining options. You can head out to eat if you like and the owners will happily recommend their favourite restaurants or you can choose to stay in and have dinner delivered.
Château dans les arbres offers the option for dinner in your castle and offer a variety of menus to choose from that they will deliver to your door (actually, they hide the delivery around the corner so as not to disturb you).
We enjoyed a delicious spread that included quiche, salad, pate, cheese, ham, olives, and fresh bread. There was more than enough food for the two of us and we ate like kings. Dinners are not included in the price and need to be booked in advance.
Breakfast, however, is included and delivered between 8am and 10am in a wicker basket that’s filled with fresh pastries, baguette and an assortment of jams alongside fresh orange juice and, in our case, hot chocolate. We sat at the wooden table on our terrace and watched the ducks swim around the lake as the autumn morning sunshine danced across the water.
Things to do near Châteaux dans les arbres
You are perfectly placed here for exploring some of the best sights in the Dordogne Valley. Highlights include:
- The castles of Biron, Monbazillac, Castelnaud, and Beynac
- The towns of Perigord, Monpazier, Issigeac, and Villereal
- The incredible caves at Maxanges
- The whimsical gardens at Marqueyssac
- The vineyards at Monbazillac and Pecharmant
- The Aquarium in Bugue
- The Incredible cave paintings at Lascaux and Les Eyzies
On the property itself there are bikes are available to hire, you can wander the 11 hectare property on foot, there’s a table tennis table as well as a pétanque court. Between May and September the communal swimming pool is open.
For more ideas on things to do in the Dordogne, take a look at our Dordogne road trip itinerary and our suggestion of things to do in the Dordogne with kids.
Know before you go
The property is open year-round. It is particularly popular during the peak summer season so do make sure to book in advance if visiting at that time. October was a delightful time to stay with no crowds and warm weather.
Overall, I highly recommend this property and would love to plan a return trip soon. Enjoy!
