In his fury at this betrayal, he killed his wife’s lover instantly and imprisoned Thérèse in one of the castle’s towers for 16 years. Legend states that in the 16th century, Thérèse de Saint-Clar was enjoying an amorous encounter with her lover, when her husband unexpectedly returned from war. But appearances are often deceptive, as this majestic stronghold is frequently described as the most haunted castle in France. Nestled in the heart of Dordogne, not far from the spectacular medieval town of Sarlat-la-Canéda, this stunning castle dates back to the 13th century, and its magnitude and sheer beauty wouldn’t look out of place in a book of fairy tales. You can participate in a guided tour of the abbey by candlelight, but be sure to watch your back the main theme of this nocturnal show is based on a Cistercian monk’s text… on death! If you wish to face the fear head on, the monastery holds Les Nuits des Fantômes events throughout the summer. The legend states that if you see The White Lady wearing black gloves, you will die within a year, but if you see her wearing white gloves, she is foretelling a happy occasion. Matilda was forced to stay in one room of the monastery for five years by her father, Henry I, and apparently she was so unhappy that she is said to return frequently to haunt the place. The ghost of Matilda of England, often referred to as The White Lady, is also thought to be present in the abbey. Amongst these accounts are numerous sightings of monks in the forests surrounding the monastery, thought to be four monks who were murdered in the vicinity during the French Revolution. In 1985, the monastery even opened a museum, appropriately located in the depths of its basement, dedicated to the legends of its nightly visitors. But did it work? Judging by witness accounts, it seems unlikely as there are still multiple sightings a year of various ghosts and ghouls. Tales of ghostly sightings and paranormal activity date back over a century and an exorcism took place here in 1921. But at night, the landscape takes on a chilly and sombre tone. A former Cistercian monastery founded in 1134, it is a daytime mix of picturesque parks and crumbling ruins.

This abbey, in the department of Eure, is no place for the faint of heart.

Any location with the French word for ‘death’ in its title should come with a government health warning.

Dordogne department map