Château de Barasc

The Château de Barasc is a 14th century feudal castle in the commune of Béduer in the Lot département of France. All that remains of the castle, perched on a hillside, are the restored keep and a tower. It is an example of 14th century Romanesque architecture.

The castle is private property and is not open to the public.^[1]

History

Il was built by the Gonthaud family beginning in the 14th century. Construction was completed around 1515. It belonged to the Barasc family,^[2] one of whom, Géraud V Barasc, was Bishop of Cahors from 1236 to 1250^[3]. Then the castle was the property of the Lostanges family.

Architecture

The castle buildings surround a courtyard opening onto the valley of the Célé. The southern façade includes the most ancient elements of the édifice, notably the 13th century tower and the former belfry to the right of the entrance. Above the 17th century bossage-decorated entrance can still be seen traces of the drawbridge. The whole edifice is strongly marked by the decoration of the 17th century:, especially the balusters of the courtyard façade and the interior staircase.Some elements of the interior decoration are older, notably the 12th century chimney place in the kitchen, that of the 17th century in the state room, and the spiral staircase. The origin of the castle undoubtedly goes back to the 10th century, but the existing architectural elements, apart from the tower and belfry, are typical 17th century architecture. The bossage entrance porch and the façades, as well as the roof of the keep, were defined as monuments historiques by the French Ministry of Culture on 25 July 1973.^[4]

See also

• List of castles in France

External links

• (French) Ministry of Culture listing with link to photos

References

1. ^ Ministry of Culture listing
2. ^ (French) Châteaux du Quercy : Béduer om www.quercy.net
3. ^ (French) Sites de la région de Figeac on www.tourisme-figeac.com
4. ^ Ministry of Culture listing

This article incorporates information from this version of the equivalent article on the French Wikipedia.

Coordinates: 44°34′48″N 1°57′09″E / 44.58°N 1.9525°E / 44.58; 1.9525