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Base Mérimée: Monuments historiques · France

Château

Vaillac, Lot, France

The record

Designation
Historic monument, classified (classé)
Protection
classé MH
Extent of protection
Château (ensemble des bâtiments) (cad. B 465, 466) : classement par arrêté du 16 décembre 1958
Protection dates
1958/12/16 : classé MH
Type
château fort
Main period of construction
14e siècle, 15e siècle, 16e siècle, 17e siècle
Dates
1597
Ownership
propriété privée
Commune
Vaillac
Département
Lot
Region
Occitanie
Country
France
Coordinates
44.67376, 1.53215
Mérimée reference
PA00095277

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David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1637 map "Aquitania" (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).

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This record on the Ministère de la Culture's POP platform ↗

The Ministère de la Culture's notice

Château-fort construit au 13e siècle, ayant été cité au cours des guerres contre l'Angleterre. En 1597, Anne de Montberon, dame de Vaillac, relève le château de ses ruines. Des embellissements sont commandés à Mathieu Jacquet de Grenoble, sculpteur du Roi. Le château comprenait un corps de logis accompagné d'un donjon carré et de cinq tours circulaires dont l'une, au centre de la façade principale, formait escalier. Un chemin de ronde avec mâchicoulis ceinturait les murs. La façade Est était flanquée de deux échauguettes d'angle à mi hauteur. Une chapelle occupait un ancien bastion carré surplombant le village. Du côté opposé à l'esplanade boisée, se trouvent les écuries voûtées capables de recevoir cinq cents chevaux. Ce bâtiment de commun était flanqué de deux tours munies également de chemins de ronde. A l'intérieur, des cheminées monumentales occupent les pièces. Des plafonds à la française ont conservé des traces de peinture décorative. ££Galiote de Genouillac, fille de Louis Ricard de Gourdon de Genouillac qui s'illustra dans le métier des armes, fut une des figures extraordinaires du 16e siècle. Elle prononça ses voeux monastiques à sept ans, fut prieure à quinze et réforma son ordre.

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Fortified castle built in the 13th century, which was mentioned during the wars against England. In 1597, Anne de Montberon, lady of Vaillac, restored the castle from its ruins. Embellishments were commissioned from Mathieu Jacquet of Grenoble, sculptor to the King. The castle comprised a main dwelling accompanied by a square keep and five circular towers, one of which, at the centre of the main façade, formed a staircase. A parapet walk with machicolations encircled the walls. The east façade was flanked by two corner bartizans at mid-height. A chapel occupied a former square bastion overlooking the village. On the side opposite to the wooded esplanade, there are vaulted stables capable of accommodating five hundred horses. This outbuilding was flanked by two towers also equipped with parapet walks. Inside, monumental fireplaces occupy the rooms. French ceilings have retained traces of decorative painting. Galiote de Genouillac, daughter of Louis Ricard de Gourdon de Genouillac who distinguished himself in military affairs, was one of the extraordinary figures of the 16th century. She took monastic vows at seven years old, became prioress at fifteen and reformed her order.

Nearby in the register

Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.

Base Mérimée, Ministère de la Culture, data last updated 2026-09-17, reused under the Licence Ouverte / Open Licence 2.0 (Etalab). Record text is reproduced unchanged. Ministère de la Culture · Licence Ouverte 2.0
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