Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Losse, located in Thonac in the Dordogne, overlooks the Vézère in a preserved natural setting. Ranked a historic monument in 1932, it illustrates the transition between medieval fortress and Renaissance residence. Originally surrounded by moats and walls, it was profoundly reshaped in 1576 by Jean de Losse, influential figure of the court and preceptor of the future Henry IV. The latter transformed the ancestral building into a pleasure castle, reflecting the aesthetic cannons of the French Renaissance.

Jean de Losse, a great state figure, marked the history of the place by incorporating innovative architectural elements for the time. After the Revolution, the estate was abandoned by the family of Losse before being bought in 1930 by the family of the former prince Hàm Nghi of Annam. His daughter, Nhu-May Suzanne Henriette, a major graduate of the National Agricultural Institute, exploited the land and lived there until 1999, thus preserving the family heritage.

The castle gardens, organized in three distinct spaces (honour courtyard, terraces and landscaped park), combine 17th century heritage and 20th century creations. Remarkable Garden and Garden Art Prize 2022 for their Bath of Nymphs. Since 1980, the castle has been open to the public, offering a dive into the Renaissance lifestyle through its furnished interiors and classified exteriors.

The site, still privately owned, attracts visitors for its architecture, gardens and history linked to the French and Vietnamese nobility. The Michelin Green Guide assigns him two stars (Vaut le détour), highlighting his heritage importance in New Aquitaine. Current research is aimed at restoring more historical elements, such as the Nymph Bath, a witness of past landscape developments.

Future

Ranked a historic monument on August 5, 1932, it is open to visit.

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