Château de Caussade
CastleHidden Treasure
Château de Caussade, located in Trélissac (Dordogne), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- Castle
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Trélissac, Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 45.2320, 0.8051
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00083027
A medieval sentinel of the Périgord region, Caussade castle's machicolations and square towers are set against a backdrop of Dordogne greenery. A masterpiece of 15th-century military architecture, its defence systems are still intact.
History
Perched in the wooded hills of Trélissac, on the outskirts of Périgueux, the Château de Caussade is one of the finest examples of Périgord military architecture from the late Middle Ages. Far from being coldly museified, the monument retains a vibrant soul, visible in every stone of its curtain walls and in the austere silhouette of its four square towers that point skywards like so many vigilant sentinels. What makes Caussade truly exceptional is the exceptional integrity of its defensive system. Whereas most of the castles in the Périgord region have seen their military systems altered, softened or erased by the architectural fashions of the centuries that followed, Caussade has preserved all of its original features: the watchman's lodge, machicolations, archways, stun gun and drawbridge mechanism all coexist in a rare state of preservation, making it a veritable manual of open-air fortification. The experience of visiting the castle is one of total immersion in 15th-century Périgord. Passing through the gate-tower, you pass under the machicolations overlooking the passageway, feel the weight of history in the thickness of the walls and imagine the guards' room on the first floor on high alert. The inner courtyard, where stables and shops once stood, is an invitation to contemplate a space that was both domestic and warlike. The natural setting reinforces the heritage emotion. Surrounded by the vegetation typical of the Périgord Blanc region, the château stands in a landscape of gentle limestone hills and oak forests, bathed in the golden light that architectural photographers are particularly keen to capture at the end of the day. Just a few kilometres from the centre of Périgueux, it's a must-see for anyone wishing to go beyond the beaten tourist track and experience something authentic.
Architecture
Caussade castle is built around a polygonal plan typical of 15th-century transitional fortifications, halfway between the classical medieval fortress and defensive solutions anticipating the era of artillery. The enclosure is flanked by four projecting square towers, a device used to flank the curtain walls and eliminate the blind spots so fatal during an assault. One of these towers, which is more massive than the others, was built on the site of the former keep, incorporating the lord's dwelling: here, the feudal tradition of the keep blends into a more modern concept of fortified housing. The living quarters are set against the curtain wall, communicating directly with the gate tower. This gate tower is the most sophisticated defensive element of the complex: its machicolations crown the vaulted passageway, archways allow for lateral flanking fire, and the drawbridge system has been preserved in its entirety, with its manoeuvring shaft and stunner. On the first floor, the guards' room commanded the entire passageway, giving the garrison total control over entry and exit. The curtain walls, crowned with continuous machicolations, provided a perimeter walkway, completely encircling the enclosure and offering active defence on all sides. The materials used were local Périgord Blanc limestone, carefully hewn and assembled in a regional building tradition inherited from the great monastic and castellan works of the late Middle Ages.
Related Figures
Archambaud V de Périgord — comte du Périgord, tenta de s'emparer du château en 1386Seigneurs de Caussade — famille féodale périgourdine, constructeurs du château au XVe sièclePropriétaires anonymes des guerres de Religion — défenseurs du château lors des conflits confessionnels du XVIe siècle
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Château de Caussade located?
Château de Caussade is located in Trélissac, Dordogne department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, France.
When was Château de Caussade built?
Château de Caussade dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Château de Caussade open to visitors?
Château de Caussade is currently closed to visitors.