Château de Rilhat

English translation

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History

Manor of classical plan for the region, with a rectangular main dwelling flanked to the south by two round towers. A square tower rises in front of the north facade, sole remaining vestige of the château's defences, another tower opposite having collapsed in the early 20th century. These two square towers were to close and defend the courtyard and the entrance gate, which was topped with machicolations and defended by four gun-ports. On the first floor, presence of a ceiling with painted joists and painted planks from the late Renaissance; stone fireplace painted black seeming to date from the 19th century. Joists and laths are decorated with floral motifs in cartouches alternately with black and white backgrounds. In the roof space, vast roof structure in ship's hull form with wooden pegs. Externally, an old square tower belonging to the defensive enclosure has been transformed into a dovecote. This château is the only edifice of fortified aspect remaining in this sector where took place in 1568 the battle of Cognat-Lyonne between Catholics and Protestants, which ravaged the region.