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“Joan of Arc” (1999): Sarlat and Beynac, stars of the Middle Ages
In 1999, Luc Besson chose Dordogne to recreate 15th century France in Joan of Arc, worn by Milla Jovovich. To bring this historic fresco to life, the director filmed in two emblematic locations near the Domaine de Monrecour: Sarlat-la-Canéda And the Château de Beynac.
In Sarlat, a remarkably preserved medieval city, several scenes were shot in the narrow streets and on the Place de la Liberté. The medieval atmosphere is so authentic that few changes were necessary for filming.
The Château de Beynac, only 5 minutes from Monrecour, embodies on the screen the power and the harshness of the fortresses of the time. Its crenellated towers, its dungeon and its breathtaking view of the Dordogne valley served as the setting for several striking sequences.
“The Visitors 2” (1998): humor and anachronisms in Beynac
Change the tone with The Visitors 2 : The Corridors of Time, shot in part at the Château de Beynac. The comic duo formed by Jean Reno and Christian Clavier experienced a series of temporal adventures in an authentic medieval setting... but treated with a good dose of humor.
The imposing walls of the castle and its vaulted rooms appear on the screen to reinforce the quirky aspect of the story. Beynac became a character in his own right, reinforcing the contrast between the manners of the Middle Ages and the clumsiness of the heroes propelled into the past.
During your visit, you can easily recognize some of the filming locations, including the courtyards and the panoramic view of the valley, often filmed in a wide shot in the movie.
“The Last Duel” (2021): between Sarlat, Beynac and Monpazier
In 2021, Ridley Scott set up his cameras in Périgord to shoot The Last Duel, a historical fresco inspired by true events, with Matt Damon, Jodie Comer and Adam Driver. For this dark and realistic medieval drama, the director selected three iconic locations: Sarlat, Beynac and Monpazier.
• TO Sarlat, the paved streets, the half-timbered houses and the ancient squares lend themselves perfectly to the reconstruction of a medieval city. The shooting left a deep impression on the inhabitants, who were curious to see the sets come to life.
• TO Beynac, already used for other films, the castle became the setting for powerful and tense scenes. Its austere silhouette reinforces the seriousness of the film's subject.
• Finally, Monpazier, a country house founded by Edward I of England, was also invested by the film crew. Its central square, its arcades and its geometric streets have been transformed to restore the atmosphere of a 14th century village. The production even changed some details to reinforce historical realism.
A cinema circuit around Monrecour
Thanks to its ideal position, the Domaine de Monrecour is the perfect starting point for a cinema loop accessible in one day:
• Morning: visit the Château de Beynac, which was used as the setting for the three films.
• Lunch: lunch in Sarlat, then stroll through the old town in the footsteps of Joan of Arc and The Last Duel.
• Afternoon: drive to Monpazier, 45 minutes away, to discover one of the most beautiful bastides in Périgord, also directed by Ridley Scott.
When heritage becomes a movie set
The filming locations that you will visit still preserve the traces of these large-scale shootings today. Some local guides don't hesitate to share anecdotes and behind the scenes details to extend the experience.
At Domaine de Monrecour, we will be happy to help you organize your getaway in the footsteps of cinema. Whether you are a movie buff, a history buff or simply curious, this immersion will make you rediscover Périgord in a different way: like a huge open-air movie set.
Book Start your stay at the Domaine de Monrecour now and enjoy a unique experience between heritage, nature and great movies!