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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Couanac castle, located on the Limogne causse 2 km from Varaire (Lot), is a notable example of the Quercy Renaissance castles. It was built at the beginning of the 16th century by Raymond Hebron de Saint-Sulpice, Ambassador of the King of France, on the foundations of an earlier castle. Its architecture is distinguished by three buildings with Renaissance skylights, dominated by a high stone tower and two circular towers, organized around an open courtyard in the east.

The chapel of the castle, dedicated to St George, is in reality the transept of an ancient Romanesque parish church of the twelfth century. It preserves remarkable elements such as carved capitals and a crypt where the former owners rest. This mixture of medieval and Renaissance elements illustrates the architectural evolution of the site throughout the centuries.

The castle, which has been listed as a historical monument since 21 February 1974, also includes a well dug in the rock and a gate to the circle segment. Today, it houses a farm-inn with gites and visits during the tourist season. Its facades, roofs and chapels are protected, testifying to its heritage importance in the region.

With monuments like Montal or Assier, Couanac is one of the most remarkable Renaissance castles in Quercy. Its southern façade, pierced with sill windows and pediment windows, as well as French ceilings, reflect the artistic influence of the Renaissance. The site thus combines medieval history and architectural elegance of the modern period.

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