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Origin and history

The Château de Clérans, located in the village of Cause-de-Clérans in the Dordogne, is a medieval building dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. It was initially set on fire around 1100 by Raymond, Viscount of Turenne, before being rebuilt shortly afterwards, and then rebuilt in the 13th century to adapt to the defensive needs of the time. Its strategic location in purple Périgord made it an issue during the conflicts between English and French.

During the Hundred Years War (1337-1453), the castle changed hands several times, especially in 1378, when it was taken by Bertrand Du Guesclin on behalf of the French. He became permanently French in 1453, after the end of the conflict. Later abandoned, it served as a stone quarry in the 19th century, before being bought in 1936 and partially preserved. Today, it retains an imposing dungeon and remains of its enclosure, classified as historical monuments in 1948 and 2007.

The site, a private property, exceptionally opens to the public during the European Heritage Days. Its castrum, surrounded by a polygonal enclosure, bears witness to its defensive role and local importance. Between the 13th and 15th centuries, Clérans was also a refuge for the Reformed, adding a religious dimension to its military history. The present ruins, though fragmentary, offer an overview of its medieval architecture, between lost houses and chapel transformed into a dwelling.

Architecturally, the castle consists of the remains of a raised dungeon, two partially preserved towers, and fragments of ramparts. The chapel, renovated in housing, is one of the few still habitable elements. The successive excavations and protections (1948 for the dungeon, 2007 for all remains) underline its heritage interest, despite the degradations suffered over the centuries. Its history reflects the tumults of medieval Périgord, between feudal conflicts and Anglo-French war.

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