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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château d'Escoire, built in the second half of the 18th century in Escoire (Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine), is an emblematic building inscribed with historical monuments since 1954 for its facades and roofs. Its current structure, including a rotunda and a double-revolution staircase, dates mainly from the early 19th century. The estate extends over a park of nine hectares, now partially accessible to the public.

In 1941, the castle became the scene of an unsolved triple murder: Georges Girard (owner and archivist of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), his aunt Amélie, and their domestic Louise Marie Soudeix were found murdered with a serp. Henri Girard, son of Georges and future writer under the pseudonym Georges Arnaud (author of the Wage of Fear), is suspected, imprisoned 19 months, then acquitted in 1943 for lack of evidence. This diverse, mediated fact inspires several works, including La Serpe (Femina Prize) by Philippe Jaenada.

From the 1950s to the 1970s, the castle hosted holiday settlements for the children of LMT employees (now Thales). Abandoned and bought in 2015 by Sylvie and Tase Kordalov, it is now partially operated in guest rooms. The hypotheses about the murder, including the possible guilt of René Taulu (son of the farmers), remain debated, notably after the revelations of Catherine Girard, daughter of Henri, in 2025.

Architecturally, the castle is distinguished by a bossed facade, a half-moon entrance with three curved doors, and triangular front pavilions. The restorations preserved these elements, while adapting a wing to residential and tourist use. The site, privately owned, retains a medium local accuracy (level 6/10) according to the Merimée base.

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