2 Best Sights in The Dordogne, France

Having survived the 14th-century Hundred Years' War, this turreted white-stone castle was rebuilt in the 15th century and served as a Catholic stronghold during the Wars of Religion. Now called "the castle of 100 games," the fairy-tale-worthy château was entirely restored in 2011 and is just as famous for its lovely period interiors as its program of fun activities for adults and kids, both indoors and out, including calligraphy, crossbow, archery, chess, grass skis, and more. Various paths take you through a superb labyrinth (open July and August only), across lovely woods and streams to troglodyte caves and picturesque ruins. There's also a program of events such as medieval jousts. The château is located about 4 km (2½ miles) from Montbazzillac and 12 km (7½ miles) from Bergerac. The castle also offers audio guides and guided tours in English.

The storybook corner towers of the beautifully proportioned, 16th-century, gray-stone château pay tribute to the fortress tradition of the late Middle Ages, but the large windows and sloping roofs reveal the emerging Renaissance influence. The spiffed-up 17th-century interiors are a pleasure to peruse. The château also serves as the regional wine cooperative to introduce vintages produced in the area, including the sweet Monbazillac. To that end, an exhibition space features immersive audiovisual displays and a unique setup that takes you through three "universes": a history of Protestantism in the area and its impact on the wine trade; a space for contemporary art exhibitions; and an area for kids ages 6–12 on the theme of viticulture (you're in France, after all). The château also hosts thematic wine tastings, some featuring meet-and-greets with the winemakers, where you can learn about wine-making techniques or just relax and enjoy the fruits of their labors. Afterward, you can buy a tempting range of wines at the cellar boutique.