Château de Vieillecour
CastleHidden Treasure
Château de Vieillecour, located in Saint-Pierre-de-Frugie (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
- Saint-Pierre-de-Frugie, Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 45.5882, 1.0185
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00082892
Perched in the Périgord vert, the château de Vieillecour raises its four round towers over a land steeped in memory: that of saint Waast, catechist of Clovis. A forgotten Renaissance jewel, encircled by machicolations.
History
In the heart of the Périgord Vert region, in the commune of Saint-Pierre-de-Frugie, the Château de Vieillecour rises with the sovereign discretion of the great Périgord residences. Flanked by its four round towers and encircled by a machicolated sentry walk, it is an elegant synthesis of the defensive and residential architecture of the French Renaissance, at a time when the lords of the south-west sought as much to protect themselves as to distinguish themselves. What makes Vieillecour truly unique is the superimposition of its historical layers: a memorial site that predates any carved stone - the site where local tradition dates the birth of Saint Waast, the monk who introduced Clovis to Christianity before his baptism in Reims - an ambitious Renaissance construction, and a Victorian restoration that has respected the spirit of the place. Few châteaux carry such symbolic density, linking the origins of Christianity in France to the provincial nobility of the Renaissance. The visit begins as soon as you approach: the silhouette of the castle, its topped towers and crenellated curtain walls stand out against the thick greenery of the untouched bocage. The drawbridge, still visible in its design, introduces an almost romantic medieval dimension. The perfectly preserved, continuous parapet walk offers a unique opportunity to wander around the entire building, with plunging views over the dry moat and wooded surroundings. The green Périgord region is a truly beautiful setting: oak forests, hedged meadows and discreet rivers are the perfect backdrop for discovering this castle off the beaten tourist track. Far from the crowds of Sarlat or Les Eyzies, Vieillecour is for those looking for authenticity and a sense of heritage far from the beaten track.
Architecture
The layout of Château de Vieillecour is typical of the seigniorial architecture of the Renaissance period in south-western France. The main building, known as the barlong (i.e. roughly rectangular and elongated), is flanked at each of its four corners by round towers, a layout reminiscent of medieval fortified castles but also in keeping with Renaissance residential vocabulary. A secondary square building is attached to the main building, creating an asymmetrical but coherent composition, typical of the successive extensions typical of large Périgord mansions. An additional round tower, a square tower - rare in an ensemble otherwise dominated by the round - and the curtain wall of the drawbridge providing access to the terrace are built onto this annex. This monumental entrance, with its drawbridge system, reflects a desire to stage the access in true Renaissance style, where defence also becomes a symbol of social prestige. The parapet walk with machicolations and loopholes, which runs all the way around the building, is the most spectacular feature of the ensemble: continuous and perfectly legible, it provides an architectural unification of volumes built at potentially different dates. The materials used are traditional to the Périgord region: local limestone, golden or grey stone depending on the deposit, shaped into neat courses for the quoins and surrounds. Restoration work in 1875 probably homogenised certain parts of the building while respecting its overall spirit. The surrounding vegetation, characteristic of untouched hedged farmland, helps the château to blend harmoniously into the landscape.
Related Figures
Saint Waast (Vedastus) — évêque d'Arras (vers 453-540), catéchiste de Clovis, dont la tradition locale fait un enfant du site de VieillecourClovis Ier — roi des Francs (vers 466-511), dont la conversion au christianisme est liée à l'enseignement de saint WaastSaint Rémi — évêque de Reims, qui baptisa Clovis vers 496 après la catéchèse de WaastSeigneur bâtisseur du XVIe siècle — commanditaire inconnu du château actuel, appartenant à la noblesse périgordine de la RenaissancePropriétaire restaurateur de 1875 — commanditaire de la campagne de restauration qui a sauvegardé l'édifice dans son état actuel
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Château de Vieillecour located?
Château de Vieillecour is located in Saint-Pierre-de-Frugie, Dordogne department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, France.
When was Château de Vieillecour built?
Château de Vieillecour dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Château de Vieillecour open to visitors?
Château de Vieillecour is currently closed to visitors.