Tour de Saint-Jean-d'Aureilhan

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

History

The estate constitutes a vast complex of buildings around an old priory coming under the chapter of Saint-Nazaire. The place-name "Saint-Jean d'Aureilhan" is known from the 9th century. The 12th-century chapel is partly incorporated into the 19th-century buildings. A hundred metres to the north-west stands a circular tower-keep, characteristic of the neo-Gothic style, dating from the late 19th century. The apparatus of pale limestone is rhythmically punctuated by bands of grey limestone. On the interior, three vast round halls, vaulted in dome, are superimposed. The two highest are richly ornamented with fireplaces, painted and gilded decoration and neo-Gothic flamboyant furnishings. The vault of the main central hall is ribbed, with moulured ogives and armorial keystone.