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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castles of Saint-Hilaire and of the Plas, located in Curemonte en Corrèze (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), are a rare example of medieval co-signuria. The castle of Saint-Hilaire, built in the 13th century, occupies the center of the enclosure and is distinguished by its rectangular plan flanked by three round towers crowned with mâchicoulis, covered with flat tiles. Near the entrance, the castle of Plas, identifiable by its square towers, completes this defensive ensemble. A Renaissance door marks access to Saint-Hilaire, while the interior preserves remarkable elements such as fireplaces, woodwork and paintings.

The history of the site is marked by successive noble families. The Saint-Hilaire, the first owners, gave up the estate to the Lostanges in the 15th century, whose arms (a lion) adorn a tower. In the 16th century, the castle passed to the family of Cardaillac through the marriage of Anne de Plas with Gabriel de Cardaillac, native of Quercy. Later, in the 20th century, the estate was acquired by Colette de Jouvenel, daughter of writer Colette and Henry de Jouvenel, adding a literary dimension to her history.

The castle of Plas, partially rebuilt in the seventeenth century, consists of two square towers and a rectangular building. Its entrance is framed by pilasters with bosses, surmounted by a cartridge with Plas weapons. The enclosure, reinforced with cylindrical and hexagonal turrets, also houses outbuildings like a 17th century barn, opened by bays in basket handles. Ranked a Historical Monument in 1991, the ensemble is a testament to the architectural and social evolution of the Limousin, from medieval wars to the Renaissance.

The configuration of the two castles in the same enclosure reflects a complex feudal organization, where the cohabitation of two seigneurial lines was necessary to control the territory. The architectural differences between Saint-Hilaire (round towers) and Plas (square towers) also highlight distinct construction periods, combining medieval defense and Renaissance comfort. Today, the site remains an exceptional testimony of this shared heritage, where noble history and rural life intersect.

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