Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Pitray, located in Gardegan-et-Tourtirac en Gironde, finds its origins in a 15th century feudal mansion, remodeled in the 16th century. This mansion, originally built by the Prior family, was modified by their descendants, a branch of the Ségur family. In 1715, Françoise, a unique heiress, married Élie de Simart, a former bishop of Saint-Émilion, marking a key milestone in the history of the estate.

In the 19th century, during the Second Empire, General Simard de Pitray had the castle rebuilt entirely around 1870 by the Bordeaux architect Alphonse Blanquière. The building adopts a neo-renaissance style inspired by Viollet-le-Duc, with elements such as pentagonal towers and rectangular pavilions. The driveways of the castle lead to a north terrace, an ancient courtyard of the communes, where there is a neo-Gothic chapel.

The estate includes communes organized into two rectangular buildings, a circular pigeon house, and stables to the north. In the east, a large naturalist park, designed by the Bordeaux pioneer Jean Escarpit, extends into a valley of oaks and centuries-old cedars. This park also houses the Covered Alley of Pitray, a prehistoric site located in nearby woods.

The castle, still owned by the family (Comte and Countesse de Boigne), is now dedicated to a traditional wine-growing activity. It was listed for historical monuments on 19 April 2010, including the castle, its park, gardens and communes, with the exception of a recent cellar.

The architecture of the castle reflects the influences of the 19th century, mixing neo-Gothic and neo-renaissance, while its landscaped park illustrates the art of gardens of that time. The estate remains a testament to the aristocratic and wine heritage of the Gironde, preserved by its current owners.

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