Château d'Excideuil is situated in Dordogne's Périgord Vert region and dates from the 11th century, when viscounts of Limoges fortified the site with a dungeon and walls to control the road from Limoges to Périgueux. The castle withstood attacks in 1182 and 1184, including assaults led by Richard the Lionheart, and later received visits from King Philip the Bel in 1303 and future Pope Clement V. Its architecture reflects multiple periods: 12th-13th century square dungeons, a Renaissance house with cylindrical staircase tower, and 14th-15th century structures remodeled around 1580. Ranked a historical monument in 2014, the communal sections offer free year-round access, with exhibitions and rampart views available from June to October.
