Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de la Faye, located in Auriac-du-Périgord in the Dordogne, finds its origins in the 13th century with the construction of a defence tower to protect Montignac. In the 14th century, towers were added to the southern facade, one of which bears the date of 1359. The main house, built at the end of the 15th century, comprises three levels surmounted by mâchicoulis, transformed in the 18th century into a high roof with skylights. An additional tower, with a broken arched door leading to a staircase, was erected in the 16th century. The castle, cited in 1476 as the Fortalitium de la Faya, became a noble den and underwent additions in the 19th century, like towers at the ends of the house. A cluzeau (underground shelter) is present in the park.

The seigneury of Auriac was created in 1487 after the sale of the territorial rights by Jean d'Albret, Count of Périgord, to Antoinette de la Cropte, wife of Raimond Arnal. The latter, receiver of the sizes in Montignac, founded the lineage of Arnal de la Faye, which owns the castle for several generations. Among them, François Arnal (died 1551), captain of the Montignac chestnutry, and his son Pierre Arnal, abbot of Terrasson, illustrate the influence of the family. In 1569 Pierre Arnal de la Faye, lord of Barry, defended the Château de Montignac against Protestant troops after the battle of Moncontour. In the 18th century, the estate passed to the Foucauld through the marriage of Anne de Foucauld, last heiress, before being transferred to Louis de Foucauld de Pontbriand, who emigrated in 1791.

The castle has been listed as historical monuments since June 24, 1948. Its architecture reflects the defensive and residential evolutions from the 15th to the 19th centuries, with medieval elements (mâchicoulis, towers) and subsequent developments (roof, skylights). Eight chimneys were mentioned in 18th century inventories, showing its relative comfort for the period. Today, the site is open to the public during summer periods, offering a preserved example of the perigordin castral heritage.

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