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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Curton, located in the natural region of the Entre-deux-Mers in Daignac (Gironde), has its origins in the 11th century with Raimond de Curton, the first member of the family mentioned in the texts. In the 12th century, the seigneury affirmed, and Régin of Curton, close to English power, signed a treaty in London. The castle was explicitly mentioned in the 13th century with Amanieu de Curton as lord. His strategic role intensified during the Hundred Years' War: Edward III of England entrusted Arnaut de Curton with the defence of Guyenne, granting him jurisdiction over four surrounding parishes (Daignac, Espiet, Grézillac, Tizac-de-Curton). Two of his descendants, Petiton and Senebrun of Curton, are illustrated by their loyalty to the Black Prince.

In the 15th century, the seigneury passed to Beaumont's house through the marriage of Charles de Beaumont and Anne de Curton. Their son Louis inherited it before the castle was taken by the French, then attributed to Jacques I of Chabannes de La Palice, mortally wounded at the Battle of Castillon (1453). The Chabannes family retained the estate until its confiscation during the French Revolution, where it was sold as a national property. A medieval layer, probably that of a 13th century Curton lord (recognisable to his shield with crowned lion), is now exposed to the Aquitaine Museum in Bordeaux after being restored.

Of the original architecture, there remains only a square dungeon of 1322, 35 meters high, with three floors overlooking a vault. Its thick walls (1.40 m) and diagonal foothills housed an octagonal staircase. Each level was illuminated by a groaned window. Listed as a historical monument in 1926, the castle is now a private property not open to the public, but still active as a winery producing Bordeaux AOC wines. Its history reflects the French-English struggles in Guyenne and the evolution of medieval seigneuries.

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