Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château Lacour originates in a grange house owned by Pélise d'Asseyne, widow of Christophe de la Gruterie. In 1592 she had the present castle erected, as evidenced by the inscription engraved above the door of the dungeon: "CONSTRUCTA FUIT PER FELISA ASSENA DOMINA A DOMOSOLA AND ALIAS A.D.MDXCII", accompanied by the coat of arms of the family Maisonseule. This site, originally linked to its matrimonial heritage (the Château de Maisonseule), became a fortification marked by its family history.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the estate enriched with agricultural outbuildings, reflecting its mixed use between seigneurial residence and farm. The 19th century saw major architectural changes, adapting the castle to the needs of the time. Its destiny turned in the 20th century: sold around 1965 to become a holiday colony (Our Lady of Mines), it was partially masked by a hangar built for the needs of the center.

From 1980 to 2009, an outbuilding of the castle housed an eponymous discotheque, emblematic of the international reggae scene. This contrast between medieval heritage and contemporary culture illustrates the variety of uses of the site. Today, Lacour Castle remains a witness to the architectural and social evolution of the Ardèche, between seigneurial past and modern adaptations.

The monument is part of the landscape of the Ardèche castles, with a history intimately linked to the family of Maisonseule and local economic transformations. Its inscription in the commune of Saint-Agrève, in the region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, makes it an important heritage element of the department.

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