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Origin and history

The town hall of Autoire occupies the walls of an ancient seigneurial castle, the oldest parts of which date back to the thirteenth or fourteenth centuries. This castle, originally owned by the family of Banze (or Bauze), and then by the Peyrus of Banze, was the heart of a chestnutry dependent on the Viscount of Turenne and the Barony of Gramat. The remains still visible today include a partially preserved wing, a broken arched door, and traces of masonry indicating an extinct extension southward. The main body, to the west, reveals defensive elements such as a north tower and medieval openings, while major changes in the 15th century, after the Hundred Years' War, altered its structure.

In the 19th century, the castle was transformed into a city hall and school, partially altering its original appearance. The building was listed for historical monuments on December 2, 1942 for its facades and covers overlooking the valley, as well as its retaining wall. Subsequent changes (school, town hall) have erased some medieval details, but elements such as broken arches, polygonal chimneys, and traces of wood strips remain. The site, close to the early church of the village, bears witness to the strategic importance of Autoire, the seat of a seigneury mentioned in 1350.

Historical sources cite successive seigneurial families: the Banze (or Bauze), present until at least the 16th century, followed by the Peyrus, then the Sirot and the Araqui. In 1504 Raymond de Bauze owned only "colombiers and parkers" in Autoire, suggesting a gradual decline in seigneury. Architectural remains, such as arches on courtyards or broken arch doors, reflect both the residential and defensive functions of the castle, before its conversion into a public building. Today, the town hall remains a symbol of local heritage, mixing feudal history and modern community life.

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