Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The hotel of Aureilhe found its origins in the 13th century, when the Dauphiné d'Auvergne erected a square tower of 20 meters in the context of wars linked to the reign of Philippe Auguste. This defensive structure, probably designed to monitor or control the area, marks the first phase of construction of the site. No source specifies its exact use at that time, but its massive architecture suggests a military or symbolic vocation of power.

In the 15th century, the site evolved with the construction of a seigneurial hotel adjacent to the tower, commissioned by the Aureilhe family. The latter obtained Villeneuve in 1435, after the Dauphins of Auvergne had given way, a decision endorsed by Louis I of Montpensier. The hotel, now in ruins following a fire, was designed to house the family and included defensive features such as a flying bridge and flying ladders to isolate the entrance. The upper floors, accessible by a hatch, housed 15th-century religious graffiti, including a Latin text and a crucifixion.

The staircase opposite the eastern turret and architectural traces testify to the adaptation of the site to the residential and defensive needs of the era. After centuries of history, the Hotel d'Aureilhe was registered with the Historical Monuments in 1991 by a private owner, who gradually acquired and preserved the estate. The protected elements include the tower, the hotel, its annexes, and the floor of the former fortified enclosure, reflecting its heritage importance.

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