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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The twin oval barns of Vaux, located in Payzac, Dordogne, are a rare example of agricultural architecture specific to the border region between Haute-Vienne, Corrèze and Dordogne. Their construction, which appeared in the mid-18th century, was distinguished by an elliptical plan and a wooden frame composed of six square pillars supporting arbalters. These elements define the oval shape, while the non-carrying shale and quartz walls provide only a fence role. Originally, these barns were covered with stubble, and their main gate opened back in the centre of the facade.

These twin barns already existed in 1820, as the archives show. A third barn, initially similar, has been replaced by a rectangular building respecting the same constructive principles. The largest of the two preserved barns is still used as barn stables, while the second, slightly smaller, is dedicated to the storage of cereals (wheat, rye), vegetables and fruit. Today, the two barns are covered with sheet metal, marking an evolution of the materials used.

Their classification as Historic Monument by decree of 28 November 1996 underlines their exceptional heritage value. This type of construction reflects the agricultural techniques and storage needs of the time, adapted to the local resources and rural practices of the region. Their preservation offers a unique testimony of architectural ingenuity and peasant life in New Aquitaine in the 18th and 19th centuries.

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