La Jarthe Castle: A Former Fortified Noble Residence in France
Site at a Glance
- Popularity
- Low
- Country
- France
- Primary era
- Medieval
- Eras represented
- Medieval, Early Modern
- Civilizations
- French
- Site type
- Domestic
- Remains
- Castle
On this page6 sections
History
Medieval origins and lordship
La Jarthe Castle is a former fortified noble residence in central Périgord, in France’s Dordogne department, about 1 km west of Coursac and 10 km southwest of Périgueux. Built in the 12th century, it was rebuilt between the 14th and 16th centuries. The residence was under the lordship of Périgueux, a territory governed by a lord.
Ownership and protection
The du Puy de la Jarthe family held the property from the 14th century until 1583, when it passed to the Chillaud family, who retained it into the 17th century. The Saillant family held it during the 17th and 18th centuries, followed by the La Roche-Aymon family, whose ownership lasted until 1836. Private buyers acquired the property in the 19th century, including the Bareau family, originally from the Excideuil area. It later passed by inheritance to the Dezon family.
On 12 October 1948, the château, chapel, and dovecote were listed as French historic monuments, a legal designation protecting historic buildings and other cultural property.
Remains
Château and courtyard
The château is arranged around a principal gallery and two wings, one associated with the farm and the other with the garden. A section enclosing the courtyard once housed female servants and a priest.
Chapel and estate buildings
The estate includes a Gothic chapel, reflecting a medieval architectural tradition, and a dovecote, a structure designed to house pigeons. Its stables housed a breeding operation for sport horses. The estate extends over 125 hectares.
