Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The castle of Mespoulet, located in the commune of Saint-Popont in Dordogne, has a composite structure reflecting several periods. Its dungeon, dated the twelfth century, is the oldest part still visible today. This dungeon, characterized by trilobed windows and a breech, was later completed by a small cul-de-four building housing a chapel on the ground floor. The ensemble illustrates the evolution of defensive and religious needs in the Middle Ages, with notable architectural additions such as the 15th century round tower and the 17th century house body.

The closed courtyard of the castle also includes operating buildings, organized according to a quadrangular plan typical of seigneurial estates. Behind the main façade, a house body and a square tower, probably medieval, bear witness to successive construction phases. The dungeon, isolated from the rest of the buildings, was classified as Historic Monument by order of 24 June 1948, highlighting its heritage value. Slate, used to cover the roofs, and defensive elements such as the steeple remind the both residential and strategic role of this castle over the centuries.

The precise address of the castle, 26 A Cht du Mespoulet, and its Insee code (24488) place it in the Dordogne department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Although the sources do not specify its current accessibility (visits, rental, accommodation), its registration as a Historical Monument makes it a protected witness to local history, combining military, religious and agricultural functions since the Middle Ages.

External links