The Chateau

Chateau Calvayrac is located above the River Lot with expansive views over the valley scattered with its small communities and dominated by vineyards.

The house with its fortified caves (raised cellars) dates back to the thirteenth century and is built from the local Quercy stone. It is likely to have been completed during the period when King Henry II controlled much of France (particularly the fertile wine growing regions in the South). These lands came under control of the English when Eleanor of Aquitaine, heiress to the region, married Henry II of England in the mid-12th century. Eleanor of Aquitaine is even reputed to have visited the Chateau and the hamlet of Calvayrac. The English occupation and the 100 Years War ended in 1352. Remarkably the chateau was owned by one family – namely the De Soudrie’s - from the 1200’s until the early 20th Century. The master of the house was hung for treason in Limoges in 1604 and the house was sadly torched by royalist forces. It was rebuilt using much of the original outer stone walls. Two of the stone fireplaces in the house date from the 1660’s.  It was sold in the early part of the 20th Century to the Piquet family and remained with them until 2001

Certain changes were made during the 20th Century, including the addition of the fabulous terrace, a new staircase and two bathrooms on the first floor. In the hallway, there is a photograph, taken from a postcard of the house and grounds dating back to 1917, which illustrates some of the differences.

In the past 6 years the house has undergone sympathetic restoration and colourful rejuvenation. It had had very little attention for the previous 20 years. The entire contents were sold together with the house, which has enabled us to maintain much of the exceptional historic and unique regional character. 

The restoration of the ancient vaulted cave was completed last year and the restoration of the terraced walls, gardens and grounds is an ongoing project. The property comes with 8 hectares of land much of it rocky woodland, accessible by a few footpaths - more of which we are slowly clearing. We also have a cottage on the property lived in all-year round by friendly tenants who keep a watchful eye on the main house and help look after guests and visitors.