You will find the Castle and Gardens of Losse (classified grade 1 by the Ministry of Culture) at a distance of 5 km from the Lascaux caves on the D706 road to the Eyzies. The Losse castle originally a Mediaeval fortress overlooks the Vézère Valley. The site has retained an impressive defense system with a moat, canon towers, Watchpath and a barbizan. Access to the courtyard of the castle is over a stone bridge under the largest gate house in South West France. Within the walls, the Renaissance Hall, an architectural jewel was built in 1576 by Jean de Losse. The Marquess of Losse, a valiant and brilliant strategist fought in the wars against Emperor Charles V, served all the sons of Catherine de Medici and was tutor to the future Henry iv. He became Governor of Guyenne at the end of his life. The elegant Renaissance architecture, with its fine façade sculpture and proportions is a fitting showcase for the interior fine décor and remarquable period furniture, paintings and tapestries. The Renaissance style gardens are listed Grade 1 by the French Ministry of Culture and are also labelled Jardin Remarquable since 2004. An enchanting labyrinthine walk in the Charmille, leads to a view of the Vézere - Downstream. Within the fortress walls, the tonnelle opens up to the roselined watch-path and leads to the « jardin bas » enclosing the lavender parterres and - a view upstream from the knot garden. The park offers a shaded walk to baths carved out of the rock. Losse is an ideal setting for films. So far it has been a site for Cinderella and various French historic films.
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