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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Dolmayrac Castle, located in the Lot-et-Garonne department, is a medieval building whose origins date back to the late 13th or early 14th century. The main tower, a vestige of the ramparts protecting the village, was built to strengthen the defence side plateau, a vulnerable point of natural spur. The current remains include two towers connected by courtines, as well as traces of an ancient castle in ruins since the 18th century, as evidenced by the map of Cassini. The site was a castrum mentioned in 1271, highlighting its strategic importance.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, the seigneury of Dolmayrac belonged to the family of Montpezat, before being integrated into the Duchy of Aiguillon. The tower, originally linked to the ramparts, was acquired by the commune in 1859 to install the town hall. Development work in 1860, including a neo-Gothic gate, adapted the monument to its new function. The castle was classified as Historic Monument in 1927, thus preserving its remarkable architectural elements, such as the broken cradle vaults and the second level warheads.

Architecturally, the square southeast tower housed a round turret staircase and a vaulted room accessible by a broken arch door with a harrow. The third level, now on the terrace, offered visual control over the Lot Valley. The cadastre of 1836 confirms the residual presence of the ramparts, while domestic developments (roadway, cupboards, sink) testify to a mixed occupation, both defensive and residential. These details illustrate the evolution of the site, from medieval fortifications to its later civilian use.

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