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Origin and history

Bournac Castle, located in Nerac, is a historical monument whose origins date back to at least the 15th century. According to tradition, he would have been the fief d'Estienne de Vignolles, nicknamed La Hire, companion of arms of Jeanne d'Arc. The estate was mentioned in 1361 with a certain Bernard de Bournac, prior of the command of Argentens. The present castle, partially rebuilt after a fire in 1581 during the siege of Nerac, combines elements from the sixteenth, seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. The central body, the dovecote and the terraces probably date back to the late 16th century, under the owners Gabiot de Veyssier or Vincent de Pédesclaux, the latter anobished by Henri IV in 1590.

The castle has various architectural features: flat tiled corner towers, a 17th century central pavilion, and 19th century additions. A notable feature is its lightning rod, installed by Jean de Romas (1713–1776), still in service. This system, a lead ball absorbing electricity, was one of the first in the world. The estate also includes a niche source evoking a Roman temple, perhaps Gallo-Roman or Renaissance. The facades, roofs, and some monumental chimneys have been protected since 1984.

In the 19th century, the castle belonged to the Mazelières families then Galard, who carried out important works. The dovecote, destroyed, and the terraces descending to the Bayes testify to its evolution. The site, which was partially fortified (southwest tower, door to breche), was dismantled in 1621. Its history reflects the political and architectural upheavals of the region, from the Hundred Years' War to the scientific experiments of the Enlightenment.

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