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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Beauregard Hall is an emblematic building of the village of the same name, located in the Lot department, in the Occitanie region. Although its current construction dates back to 1604, as evidenced by an inscription on the building, architectural elements and sources suggest an origin dating back to the 15th century. This rectangular monument is distinguished by its simple structure: a ground floor with masonry base, covered with lava, and supported by square piles. The circular and quadrangular openings for grain measurements and product flow reflect its historical commercial and agricultural function.

Classified as historical monuments since August 5, 1922, Beauregard Hall bears the traces of a past linked to local economic activity. An oval cartridge adorns the facade, representing a tower and initials "B" and "R" for Bel Regard, as well as the date of 1604 (sometimes interpreted as 1607). This detail, combined with the simplicity of its construction, suggests that it was able to replace an earlier building, perhaps dated the 15th century. Today owned by the municipality, it embodies the rural heritage and the history of exchanges in this region.

The medieval and Renaissance halls, like Beauregard, played a central role in village life. They served as a market place, storage space for cereals, and assembly place for collective decisions. In Quercy, the region to which the Lot belongs, these constructions reflected the importance of agriculture and local commerce, while symbolizing the seigneurial or communal authority. Their architecture, often sober, was adapted to the practical needs of the inhabitants, as evidenced by the specific arrangements of the Beauregard Hall for the measurement and distribution of grains.

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