Bonaguil Castle

Château de Bonaguil or Bonaguil castle is a historical monument that was built way back in the 13th century. Not many people have heard about it which makes it the perfect offbeat attraction to visit in France. Located in the French commune of Saint-Front-sur-Lémance, Lot-et-Garonne, the castle is actually owned by the neighboring community named Fumel.

Visiting Bonaguil castle does not require a lot of planning. We did make a lot of mistakes while visiting which would not have amounted for much aside from the fact that we were in the middle of a heatwave and the temperatures were close to 40C!

The castle has lower footfall compared to many of the other attractions in the region. There always activities organized here especially around the holidays which makes it a great place to take kids.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Read my disclaimer for further information.

How To Get To Bonaguil Castle

You need your own mode of transport to head to Bonaguil castle. We drove down from the Netherlands so we had our own car. If you are traveling through France and need to rent a car then I recommend using Discover Cars. The platform runs a real time comparison between the different rental agencies and pulls up the best deals for the duration of your travel.

Parking At Bonaguil Castle

Parking is free at the Bonaguil Castle. There are two parking lots where you can park your car. One is at the base of the hill just opposite the Restaurant Le Cellier. It is a shaded parking lot and is easily accessible. This parking lot has one of the best views of the whole castle from outside.

If you use this parking spot, you will have to walk up to Château de Bonaguil. It is a short an easy walk. We however made the mistake of using this parking spot in a heatwave and that too mid day. The heat sapped our energy. At that point, we hadn't realized that there was another parking spot that was closer to the entrance.

If you don't want to walk up, continuing driving until you reach Château de Bonaguil and you will find a parking spot right next to the entrance.

Timings Of Bonagui Castle

It is important to note that the timings of the castle change depending upon the season.

March: Everyday from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm
April - June: Everyday from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
July: Everyday from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
September: Everyday from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
October: Everyday from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm
July - August : Everyday from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
November : Open till the 11th of November from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm
December - February : Only during school holydays, everyday from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm. (The castle remains closed on December 25th and on January 1st.)

Tickets To Château de Bonaguil

We parked our stroller right at the side of the Bonaguil castle.

You don't need to book the tickets to the Bonaguil castle in advance. There isn't even a line here. So just head up to the ticket counter and make your purchase.

Ticket prices are:

Adults (18 yrs onwards): 10 € per person
Teenagers (13 to 17 yrs): 7.50 € per person
Childs (6 to 12 yrs): 5 € per person
under 6 yrs: free

Things To Know Before You Visit

The underground tunnels in Bonaguil castle

The underground tunnel that leads to the dragon.

You Can't Use A Stroller Here

You cannot take a stroller inside the complex and quite frankly even if you did, it would be useless.

The ground is uneven, there are loads of steps that you need to take so I would leave it at home. If you do take it with you, you can leave it next to the ticket office.

If you are traveling with a baby, consider using a baby carrier instead. It is more practical in this scenario.

A Large Part Of The Castle Is Outdoors

The cool drawbridge at Bonaguil castle

It may seem like a small thing but it is important to note that most of the area that you wander around will be outdoors. There is limited shade with the exception of a few rooms. Since we visited during a heatwave, we really rushed through the whole castle. We did spend a lot of time in the tower where there was a calligraphy class being conducted. It was indoors and shaded so it was cool.

So keep this in mind when visiting on days when the weather is bad. It could be rain, heat or cold.

Use Sensible Shoes

We did not have much of an issue because the ground was dry but we did have our sneakers on. The ground is uneven. It is easy to slip and I imagine it gets harder when the ground is wet.

Carry Water

While you will find shops and restaurants along the way up to Bonaguil castle, there is no place you can fill water when you are inside the castle. So make sure you carry your water.

Toilets

Free toilets are available next to the first parking spot at the base of Château de Bonaguil,

Best Place To Stop For Food Or Drinks

There are a number of places that you can stop for a meal, a cup of thee or coffee or just to have an ice cream.

La Table de Marlyse

This little tea house is marked wrong on Google maps. As you head towards the castle from the first parking, pass by Restaurant Le Cellier and you will find a small door on your right. Its a quaint little place with a couple of tables in a courtyard in the back. A canopy of trees provides shade and it is away from the crowds.

The meals are simple. Tea, cakes, coffee, drinks, beer etc. The owner is a very nice old gentleman. He made the children laugh and constantly brought water to make sure that they were hydrated. He gave us ideas on places to visit and was just so charming.

If you want to unwind and just relax, this is the place to be. Bonus points because it has a view of the castle from the courtyard.

Other Popular Spots

Restaurant Le Cellier: One of the most popular places for a meal. The restaurant is always buzzing.

L'Estive Snack: Also a popular location for snacks or for an ice cream on the go.

Is Bonaguil Castle Worth Visiting?

The art room where we had a calligraphy class in the tower.

I really think that Bonaguil Castle is worth visiting. While the castle is not uber famous, it is beautiful. You get to appreciate the castle at a slow pace. You can see the parts of the castle that are in ruins and you can also wander through the parts of the castle that are still standing.

There is proper signage everywhere and there are English translations which makes it so much easier. When you get your ticket, you can ask for a map / guide in the language of your choice. Make sure to ask if there are any events running so you can do those too.