Chateau de Rouffillac

Constructed in the 12th century, Chateau de Rouffillac has commanded its hilltop position overlooking the Dordogne Valley for over 900 years. The powerful Lords of Rouffillac built this grand manor house to be visible throughout the region, establishing their dominance over this strategic section of the valley. During the Hundred Years’ War in the 15th century, the château gained military significance as soldiers occupied the fortress when the Dordogne River became the demarcation line between French and British armies, resulting in both cultures influencing its architecture and art—evidenced today by fleur-de-lis and English lions throughout the interior. The property witnessed remarkable diplomatic history when the US Ambassador to France wrote crucial letters to Thomas Jefferson regarding the Louisiana Purchase from within its magnificent library. In the 19th century, a wealthy Parisian ophthalmologist transformed the medieval structure into a fairytale château through an extensive Renaissance-inspired restoration. His son René inherited the estate and, married to a wealthy Californian woman, turned it into a legendary party venue—the remaining palm trees still testament to this glamorous era. After René’s bankruptcy, the château fell into disrepair until 1958 when renowned French zoologist Pierre Paul Grassé, President of the Academy of Science at the Sorbonne, rescued and restored it. In 2019, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Kirk and his wife Cassandra acquired the château, undertaking a meticulous six-month restoration during lockdown with local artisans to create today’s luxury venue.