Initial construction XVIIIe siècle (≈ 1850)
Building of the classical style castle.
XIXe siècle
Major transformations
Major transformations XIXe siècle (≈ 1865)
Terrace and interior remodeling.
22 novembre 1981
Official protection
Official protection 22 novembre 1981 (≈ 1981)
Registration facades, roofs and terrace.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Façades and roofs and the terrace in the South-West (Box B 19): inscription by order of 22 November 1981
Key figures
Information non disponible - Unidentified owners or sponsors
Missing sources on historical actors.
Origin and history
The castle of Saint-Priest-de-Gimel replaces a medieval mansion that had disappeared, once belonging to the local lords. Built in the 18th century, it adopts a sober classic style, marked by avant-corps with low protruding surfaces on its main facades. The openings of the forebody are in full hang, contrasting with the rectangular bays of the rest of the building. A horizontal band separates the two levels, while the pediments, emphasized by a pronounced moulding, reinforce its geometric elegance. Originally, the interior reflected this classic rigor, although later reworked.
In the 19th century, the castle underwent notable changes, including the development of a south-west terrace, changing its relationship to the surrounding landscape. The interior is also redesigned during this period, adapting the spaces to the residential uses of the period. Ranked a Historic Monument in 1981 for its facades, roofs and terrace, the castle illustrates the architectural evolution between the Ancient Regime and the modern era. Its inscription protects key elements such as the curved forebody and the mouling of the pediments, witnesses to its classical heritage.
Located in the village of Saint-Priest-de-Gimel, in Corrèze, the castle is located in a territory marked by an ancient seigneurial history. Its location, now with an approximate GPS location (level 5/10), recalls its central role in the local organization, although the archives do not specify the names of the owners or sponsors. The current legal protections aim to preserve its architecture, reflecting the aristocratic tastes of the 18th and 19th centuries in Limousin.
