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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Lastours is a building located in the hamlet of Lastours, on the commune of Sainte-Croix, in the Lot department (Occitanie region). Built between the 13th and 17th centuries, it consists of a body of rectangular houses flanked by two square towers, one of which preserves the crows of an ancient scallop. A curved door, surmounted by a triangular pediment, gives access to a ramp staircase, while a courtyard bounded by the remains of a enclosure houses a round tower and a square tower. These architectural elements, such as the French ceilings or the vaulted room in the cradle, testify to the transformations that the castle has undergone over the centuries.

The monument was listed as historic monuments on 13 January 1993, recognizing its heritage value. The available sources, including the works of Catherine Didon and Henri Guilhamon, evoke his history through wills and architectural descriptions, such as that of Agnes de Caudron (1763–1851), the last chestnut of Lastours. The enclosure and the remaining towers suggest an initial defensive role, while subsequent developments (windows, potential chapel) reflect an adaptation to the residential uses of the 17th and 18th centuries.

The location of the castle, in the Quercy Blanc, is part of a territory marked by feudal and agricultural history. The castles in this region often served as administrative centres or seigneurial residences, while playing a role in protecting local lands and populations. The Lot, rich in medieval heritage, has many similar buildings, as evidenced by the list of historical monuments of the department, to which Lastours belongs since its classification.

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