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Origin and history

The Château des Tours-Saint-Laurent, also known as the Château de Saint-Laurent-les-Tours, is a medieval fortress built on a strategic hill overlooking the valley of the Bave and the city of Saint-Céré, in the present Occitanie region. Its origins date back to Roman antiquity, as evidenced by archaeological excavations that revealed weapons and coins dating from the reign of Emperor Augustus. A first medieval building was built in the seventh century by Lord Serenus, who gave his name to the neighbouring village, Sanctus Serenus, the future Saint-Céré.

From 901, the castle passed under the tutelage of the Viscounts of Turenne for eight centuries. In 1178, Raimon II of Turenne erected the "little tower", a 28-metre Romanesque dungeon, symbol of its power. The site, played during the Hundred Years War, was occupied by the English between 1384 and 1390 before being taken over by Guillaume Roger de Beaufort, who built in 1390 the 35-metre "big tower". The Wars of Religion also marked its history: taken by Protestants in 1575, it was taken over in 1586 by the Duke of Mayenne.

In 1738, Louis XV finally seized it, putting an end to the era of the Viscounts of Turenne. The castle, in ruins, changed hands several times before being renovated in 1895 by Lafon du Verdier, who built a neo-medieval mansion there. During the Second World War, its towers housed Radio Quercy, a underground station of the Resistance (1944). In 1966, artist Jean Lurçat, seduced by the site, set up his workshop, now transformed into a museum labeled Maisons des Illustres.

Ranked a historic monument since 1889, the castle retains two emblematic dungeons (XII and XIV centuries), ramparts and a manor house housing the works of Lurçat. Its remains, restored in the 21st century, bear witness to its military, political and cultural role, from the Middle Ages to the Resistance.

The site is now managed by the Lot department. The "big tower", culminating at 500 meters above sea level, offers a panorama of the valley, while the workshop-museum exhibits tapestries, paintings and ceramics by Jean Lurçat, perpetuating his artistic heritage.

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