Château De Mauriac (Douzillac)
Characteristics
The Château de Mauriac is in the department of the Dordogne, 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) to the north-west of the town of Douzillac. It overlooks the railway line from Coutras to Tulle and the River Isle, below the Mauriac dam. The dam used to drive a mill providing energy to a furniture factory, now replaced by a small hydroelectric power plant. It is private property, but the gardens and terrace are open to visitors.
The château is located on the eastern border of a park, bounded by two towers at the south-west and north-west.
Access to the castle is via a partly-ruined gatehouse.
The chateau's appearance from the south-east is that of a lodge flanked by two wide round towers, all with machicolation.
History
The château itself was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. It replaced a mediaeval structure, which itself replaced one from the Gallo-Roman period.
On his return from Italy, Michel de Montaigne made a stop at the château in 1581.
The château was given the title of a monument historique on 12 October 1948, and the entire site on 10 February 2016.
References
- ^ Aubarbier, Jean-Luc; Binet, Michel; Mandon, Guy (1987). Nouveau guide du Périgord-Quercy (in French). Ouest France. p. 286. ISBN 2-85882-842-3.
- ^ Penaud, Guy (1996). Dictionnaire des châteaux du Périgord (in French). Sud Ouest. p. 173. ISBN 2-87901-221-X.
- ^ Base Mérimée: Château de Mauriac, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
- ^ "Liste des immeubles protégés au titre des monuments historiques en 2016" (in French). Retrieved 19 December 2016.
Gallery
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North-east tower -
Gatehouse -
Lodge -
Tower from the south-west
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