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Origin and history

The castle of Cieurac, located in the Lot in Occitanie, finds its origins in the 13th century with a first castle of which remains remains at the north and south ends of the present house. Owned by the family of Cardaillac, coseigneurs of the region, he was occupied and looted by the English between 1356 and 1358 during the Hundred Years War. After its restoration to the Cardaillacs, the castle was rebuilt from the end of the 15th century by Raymond de Cardaillac, participating in the Italian wars under Charles VIII, then by his son Jean-Jacques, governor of Quercy.

In the 16th century, the castle passed into the hands of Antoine-Hector de Cardaillac, converted to Protestantism, who strengthened it before the direct line died in 1629. Transferred to Godailh's family by marriage, he underwent changes such as the addition of a building body for kitchens in 1733. The French Revolution marked a tragic turning point: the owner, Pierre-Jacques de Godailh-Cieurac, was guillotined in 1794, and the castle, looted, lost its Gothic chapel. He then changed hands, passing to the mayor of Cieurac, the citizen Caminel, and then to the Dulac family by inheritance.

The 20th century brought new challenges: in June 1944, the SS Das Reich division burned down the castle, destroying roofs, ceilings classified as historical monuments since 1938, and archives. A temporary roof was installed in 1950, followed by a staircase in 1956. In 1974, Claude Afchain acquired the castle and undertook its restoration. Ranked since 1938, it is one of the most remarkable Renaissance castles in Quercy, alongside Montal or Cénevières, testifying to a rich but tormented architectural and historical heritage.

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