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Key figures

Origin and history

The Masonic temple of Périgueux occupies a building of the 3rd quarter of the 19th century, located in the preserved area of the city, at the corner of Saint-Front and Notre-Dame streets. Originally, the building housed a comedy hall at the end of the 18th century in an old inn, the first unsanitary theatre in Périgueux. In 1838, the city built a new theatre, releasing the premises, which were rented in 1841 to a Masonic lodge. Five Freemasons bought the building after 1858, marking the beginning of its transformation into a temple.

In 1858, the creation of Rue Saint-Front allowed the lodge to acquire adjacent land. The new facade, designed by architect Alexandre Antoine Lambert and decorated by sculptor Grasset, was completed in 1869. The central building was then flanked, between 1885 and 1901, by two wings acquired by Freemasons, including Jean Bardon and Ernest Lacoste. However, the symmetrical project on the street side of the Constitution fails because of the lack of acquisition of a nearby bakery. The public limited company "L'Orient de Périgueux", founded in 1891, now manages the whole.

The Balkan Moorish facades incorporate mucharabiehs, geometric friezes and Masonic symbols (compas, square, five-point star). Under the Vichy Regime (1940-1944), iconic sculptures were destroyed in 1941 and restored in 1987. The temple was listed as historic monuments in 1975 for its facades and roofs, reflecting its historic and historic importance.

The history of the temple reflects the evolution of Freemasonry in Périgueux, marked by fusions of lodges (such as "The Persevering Friends and the Star of Vesone Reunited" in 1857) and divisions (creation of "The Tolerance" in 1876). Its eclectic architecture, combining oriental influences and initiatory symbols, makes it a rare example in France. Today, the building remains the property of a Masonic association and retains its original function.

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