Construction of the original dungeon XVe siècle (≈ 1550)
Medieval origin of the noble den
XVIe siècle
Enlargement around the dungeon
Enlargement around the dungeon XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
Integration of a scallop and moat
12 octobre 1948
First entry MH
First entry MH 12 octobre 1948 (≈ 1948)
Protection of the castle alone
23 juillet 2012
Extension of protection
Extension of protection 23 juillet 2012 (≈ 2012)
Registered area and park
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The castle (Box A 1262): inscription by order of 12 October 1948 - In total the estate of the castle including the outbuildings and agricultural buildings, with the exception of the hangars located at the east end, the park with its terraces and its two bridges, the factories and hydraulic devices as well as the aisle of arrival to the castle (cad. A 1222, 1231 to 1234, 1250 to 1255): registration by order of 23 July 2012
Key figures
Famille d’Aydie - Owner (16th-17th centuries)
Renaissance transformations of the castle
Famille Duvigier - Owner (1668–1803)
Pre-revolutionary period of occupation
Famille Boudet - Owner (since 1803)
Modern storage and transmission
Origin and history
The Château de Saint-Martin, located in Lamonzie-Saint-Martin in the Dordogne department (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), is a building dating back to the 15th century. It was built around an older square dungeon, showing early seigneurial occupation. In the 16th century, the noble den was enlarged, incorporating defensive elements such as a crow-saw and moat, characteristic of the fortifications of the era. These developments reflect the strategic importance of the site during periods of local or regional conflict.
The modifications continued in the 17th and 19th centuries, adapting the castle to the architectural changes and residential needs of its successive owners. The estate, which includes a park with terraces, bridges and factories, was partially protected as early as 1948 (inscription of the castle), then extended in 2012 to all outbuildings, park and hydraulic devices. These protections highlight the heritage value of the site, both for its architecture and its landscape.
The historical sources mention several noble families linked to the castle: the Dydia (XVIth-17th centuries), the Delbetz, the Duvigier (1668–1803), and the Boudet (since 1803). These lines have marked the history of the estate by architectural transformations or varied uses (residence, farming). The studies published in the Bulletin of the Historical and Archaeological Society of the Périgord (in particular by Chantal Dauchez) detail their role in the evolution of the castle, from its medieval origin to its contemporary occupation.
The castle illustrates the seigneurial history of Périgord, an area marked by a dense settlement of noble dens and castles. Its original dungeon, typical of the 15th century, evokes a period when local fortifications served both as a residence and as protection against disturbances (the Hundred Years War, feudal conflicts). Subsequent transformations, such as the addition of Renaissance or classical elements, reflect the evolution of aristocratic lifestyles from defence to pleasure.
Today, the Château de Saint-Martin remains a major architectural testimony of the Dordogne, combining medieval heritage and landscape developments. Its inscription in the Monuments Historiques (1948 and 2012) guarantees the preservation of its structures and its environment, while allowing a tourist and cultural enhancement. Local archives and academic works continue to shed light on its history, especially through families that have owned and transformed it.
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