Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Turenne, located in the department of Corrèze in New Aquitaine, was the heart of the Viscounty of Turenne until 1738. Its history dates back to the seventh century, where a Vicaria Torinensis is mentioned for the first time. The castrum appeared in the texts in 767, when it was taken by Pépin the Short during his conflict with Waifre, Duke of Aquitaine. In the 9th century, he was seized by Pépin the Short then entrusted to Immon, the first Count of Quercy, before being taken over in 839 by Louis le Pieux. Saint Martial's relics were sheltered around 842 to protect them from the Vikings.

In the 10th century, Bernard I of Turenne (v.915-981), the first Viscount attested in 984, marked the beginning of the vicomtal dynasty. His son-in-law, Archambaud de Comborn (known as "Jambe Pourrie" after a fight for the castle around 957-962) united the Viscounts of Comborn and Turenne. The present castle could date back to this time, although discussions persist on the location of the first castrum (a site called "Old Turenne", 1.5 km northeast, is mentioned in 1074).

In the 11th century, Raymond I de Turenne strengthened the defenses before leaving for the first crusade (1096) and struck currency, a rare privilege for a Viscount. The vicomté oscillates between allegiance to the Dukes of Aquitaine (Plantagenets) and to the kings of France (Capetians), taking advantage of conflicts to extend its autonomy. In 1188, the castle was perhaps taken by Richard Coeur de Lion. In 1214, the Viscount Raymond IV joined Philippe Auguste and in 1224 took part in the reconquest of the Duchy of Aquitaine by Louis VIII.

The 13th century saw the castle seized in 1242 by Louis IX after a revolt, then returned in 1253. The Viscounty was divided in 1251 between Raymond VI (eastern part) and Hélie II of Rudel (western part), a split lasted until 1494. The current remains include the tower of Caesar (thirteenth century circular dungeon, possibly linked to Raymond IV) and the tower of the Treasury (rectangular dungeon with foothills, typical of Limousin). Three successive enclosures protected the site, including one built during the Wars of Religion (1570-1580) by Protestant Viscount Henri I of La Tour d'Auvergne.

In 1738, the Viscounty was sold to Louis XV by Charles-Godefroy de La Tour d'Auvergne, Duke of Bouillon, for 4.2 million pounds, subject to retention of the title. The remains (classified Historic Monuments in 1840, 1890, and 2015) include the bases of the ramparts and three towers. The 17th and 18th century buildings, now missing, are known by descriptions and a stained glass window of the Collège Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Pantaléon.

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