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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The mansion of the Eyrial, located in Argentat-sur-Dordogne in Corrèze, is a house of the 3rd quarter of the 15th century, built in 1457 on the foundations of a 12th century watchtower. It then belonged to the dean of Carennac. Its architecture is distinguished by a stone pentagonal tower on the ground floor and half-timbered on the upper floors, as well as by two entrances: one Teil Street, the other via a hanging garden overlooking the church square. The building, covered with traditional lauzes, was renovated in 1606 to serve as a consular house and seat of jurisdiction.

In 1754, the bandit Louis Mandrin burned the tower, leaving traces still visible today. The subsequent restoration partially altered its appearance. In the 20th century, the mansion became the property of the Barons of Miceli, the Sicilian noble family, whose weapons adorn the entrance to Teil Street. Recent work (2021-2022) revealed the foundations of the medieval watch tower, linked to the surveillance of trade on the Dordogne. A spear containing a message for future generations was installed.

Ranked a historic monument in 1968 for its facades and roofs, the mansion combines defensive elements (watch tower) and residential elements (noble logis). Its 18th-century openings, ground balconies and five-sided roof make it a rare testimony of correzian civil architecture, mixing Middle Ages and modern times. The tower, partly made of wood, is surmounted by a varnished terracotta ear, symbol of its turbulent history.

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