Château de Châlucet

Saint-Jean-Ligoure

Châlucet is a twofold site: Bas-Châlucet, created around 1130 at the initiative of the abbey of Solignac, and Haut-Châlucet, enlarged around 1270 then transformed at the end of the 13th century by Géraud de Maulmont into a true fortified palace, the largest castle complex in the Limousin. The Hundred Years' War tipped the fortress into a darker memory: taken by the English in 1376, it became the lair of the mercenary captain Perrot le Béarnais, who held it for eighteen years, until 1394, and held the Limousin to ransom — a lasting memory of brigandage attached to the place. A refuge for Huguenots during the Wars of Religion and judged too dangerous, the stronghold was dismantled by the consuls of Limoges at the end of the 16th century (1594 according to the heritage records). Listed as a monument historique (historic monument) in 1875, the ruins, acquired in 1996 by the Department of Haute-Vienne together with their forest setting, were consolidated from the 1990s onwards and are discovered today along woodland paths, a romantic silhouette rising out of the trees.

Getting there : About ten kilometres south of Limoges, towards Saint-Jean-Ligoure; car park at the edge of the Châlucet forest, then approach on foot; site owned by the Department, free access all year round.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound