Carlux is a small village in the Dordogne department situated between Sarlat-la-Canéda and Souillac. This traditional Perigord village is small but has a few notable monuments and charming stone houses with tall rooves and wooden shutters.
Explore Carlux
Carlux is a small but pretty village dominated by its castle in the village centre. The castle was built in the 12th century on the remains of a previous castle probably dating back to the 10th century.
A turbulent history means that the castle has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times. Originally it was not much more than a watch tower but during the Middle Ages it was attacked and burnt several times and rebuilt and grown in size each time. At its largest it also occupied the space now taken up by the Place de la Mairie.
During the Hundred Years War the castle was again attacked and set alight and in 1481 King Louis XI ordered the chateau be destroyed.
Duing the Middle Ages Carlux developed and prospered as it sat on important trade routes between Sarlat and Souillac. However the Hundred Years War decimated the area and Carlux was not close enough to newer trade routes and the village fell into decline. This does however mean that Carlux retains its medieval appearance and is a very pretty village.
Carlux castle has been given to the village by its owner and some repairs made so that now you can visit the site and see the keep and inner courtyard.
The church was built in the early 14th century during the Hundred Years War which is apparently why it is simple in style and decoration both inside and out.
Another notable building in the centre of Carlux is its 19th century market hall with stone pillars and an impressive wooden roof. There is also a rather unusual very tall chimney in the village which was built in the 14th century. Known as a 'Sarrazin' chimney this was lit during epidemics to warn visitors not to approach!
Carlux endured another tragedy in its history during the Second World War. A barrier was put across the main road, the RD703, at the neighbouring village of Rouffillac to slow down the German troops moving to Normandy. A German soldier was killed in a subsequent attack by Resistance fighters. In reprisals the Germans burnt down the village and killed 18 people including 16 civilians. There is a memorial on the RD703.
Places to visit nearby
Carlux is home to one of the nicest gardens in the Dordogne department. Les Jardins de Cadiot were created in the 1980s and is a series of gardens including an English garden, a peony garden and a Tuscan garden. There is also a small cafe with homemade cordials and cakes.
Sarlat la Canéda is a beautiful medieval town and the highlight of a trip to the Dordogne area.
You can find more travel ideas in the Dordogne guide and the Aquitaine guide.
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Visit near Carlux with France This Way reviews
Les Jardins de Cadiot
The Jardins de Cadiot is a pretty garden in the Dordogne Valley near to Sarlat.
Les Jardins de Cadiot guide
Chateau de Fenelon
The chateau de Fenelon is half medieval and half renaissance, and sited in an imposing elevated position in the Dordogne
Chateau de Fenelon guide
Jardins du manoir d'Eyrignac
The Gardens of the Manoir d'Eyrignac are a remarkable garden with large areas of trimmed trees, tranquil alleys and formal gardens
Jardins du manoir d'Eyrignac guide
Gourdon (Lot)
The golden stone used to build much of the town of Gourdon brings much of its charm, and there are also several pretty small villages close to hand
Gourdon (Lot) guide
Les Jardins d'eau
The Jardins d'eau in Carsac-Aillac is a stunning water garden with a lovely water labyrinth.
Les Jardins d'eau guide
Carsac-Aillac
Carsac-Aillac is home to the Jardins d'eau de Carsac and also has a lovely romanesque church.
Carsac-Aillac guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Dordogne
Address: Carlux, Sarlat-la-Canéda, Aquitaine, 24370, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.8847, longitude 1.3542
Plan your visit to Carlux, Dordogne
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Notre Dame des Cordeliers (Gourdon): religious monument (7 km)
- Gourdon: recommended detour (7 km)
- Abbaye Sainte Marie (Souillac): religious monument (10 km)
- Jardins du Manoir d'Eyrignac: remarkable garden (10 km)
- Sarlat: town of art and history (11 km)
- Cathédrale Saint-Sardos (Sarlat): religious monument (11 km)
- Jardins du château de Caudon: remarkable garden (14 km)
- Domme: most beautiful village (14 km)
- La Roque-Gageac: most beautiful village (15 km)
- Eglise notre-Dame de Nativité (Cenac-et-Saint-Julien): religious monument (15 km)
- Jardins de Marqueyssac: remarkable garden (17 km)
- Beynac: most beautiful village (17 km)
The French version of this page is at Carlux (Francais)