Château de l'Herm, Protected medieval castle in Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-de-Reilhac, France.
Château de l'Herm is a medieval castle in Périgord featuring a distinctive pentagonal tower with pale stone walls. The tower displays intricate stone carvings of armored figures and plant patterns arranged throughout the interior spiral staircase.
Jean II de Calvimont, a counselor at the Bordeaux Parliament, built this castle in the early 1500s after acquiring the estate. The structure emerged during an era of major architectural change in southern France and reflected the power of the nobility at that time.
The castle served as the setting for Eugène Le Roy's 1899 novel and continues to shape how the region is seen through literature. Visitors can experience the connection between the building and storytelling that inspired the writer's work.
The castle has been undergoing major restoration work since 2020 and will continue to be accessible to visitors throughout this period. It is best to check current conditions before visiting and allow time to explore the exterior and grounds.
The tower's crown features a Gothic vault shaped like a palm tree with the Calvimont family arms carved into it. This architectural detail is a rare example of late Gothic design in the Dordogne region and shows the artistic craftsmanship of the period.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
