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Origin and history

The Château de Saint-Maurice, located in Saint-Laurent-des-Bâtons in Dordogne (New Aquitaine), is a 15th and 16th century building. It consists of a body of barlong houses crowned with a round road, with a round tower with machicolis at the northwest corner and a square tower of stairs to the east. Traces suggest the existence of a second tower, lost during the 16th century redevelopments. At that time, the castle was enlarged by buildings returning to the south and north, including one dedicated to the communes. The entrance door, protected by a murderer, is accessible by a staircase.

During the Hundred Years' War, the castle served as an advanced defense for the seigneury of Bergerac. Although moat, drawbridge and rampart have disappeared, the high Middle Ages square dungeon remains. The monument retains characteristic defensive elements, such as cruciform archeries and square openings on the round path. These adjustments reflect its strategic role in a region marked by conflicts between the kingdoms of France and England.

The Château de Saint-Maurice has been partially listed as a historical monument since May 22, 1974, a recognition of its facades and roofs. This protection includes the house body, the round tower, and the stairway tower, which witnessed the architectural transformations between the 15th and 16th centuries. The site, now located in the commune of Val de Louyre and Caudeau, remains an example of the evolution of medieval fortresses towards seigneurial residences in the Renaissance.

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