Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Vauhousade is located in the commune of Compas, in the Creuse department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. This historic monument, registered in 2009, consists of a large house body dating mainly from the 15th and 19th centuries. Its façade is marked by a central stair tower, while two unequal wings, perpendicular, extend to the rear. A terrace supported by a creneled wall, punctuated by a circular tower and a pavilion, precedes the building. To the right, a long extended stable of a barn in return complete the architectural set. Inside, the first floor preserves remains of painted decorations, testimonies of past developments.

The estate also extends eastward, where farm buildings, organised around a courtyard, illustrate its role both residential and agricultural. The castle is inseparable from the Durat family, notably Count Jean-François de Durat, born and died on the spot (1736–1830). This character marks the local history, while the registration of the site in 2009 underscores its heritage value. The sources, such as the Merimée or Monumentum base, confirm its precise address at 1, Château de Vaushousade, in a preserved rural setting.

The architecture of the castle, combining late medieval elements and 19th century additions, reflects the stylistic and functional evolutions of noble houses in Limousin. The crenelated terrace and circular tower evoke residual defensive concerns, while the stables and the farm demonstrate an adaptation to the economic needs of modern times. The whole, although partially modified, offers a typical example of the rural castles of this region, where seigneurial history and agricultural life intersect.

External links