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LE CHATEAU DE LA MARTHONIE
12th century Château de la Marthonie
Considered an ancient monument and situated in the very heart of the village,
the castle majestically dominates the lovely St Jean Square.
One of the most famous residents of this castle was Mondot de la Marthonie,
first president of Bordeaux's parliament court,
adviser of the Queen Mother in Paris when François 1er passed through Italy,
and the builder of Puyguilhem castle in Villars.
Sacked by the protestants in 1569,
la Marthonie was given by alliance to the Beynac family,
then to the Beaumont-Beynac who have been the owners until today.
Originally built in the 12th century,
the castle was recontructed in the 15th century
after being burnt by the English
in the harsh battles of the 100 Years War.
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This 15th century construction is what constitutes
the "old castle" with machicolated and crenellated towers,
and façades pierced with mullion windows.
In the 17th century, the old castle was extended with a lower,
classical wing, covered with a "Mansard style" roof.
The free space betwen the oriental façade and
the perpendicular wing was ornamented with a monumental so-called
"straight" flight of stairs .
In the 5 lower rooms of the castle, you can visit :
The Paper Museum
- An exhibition of advertising posters dating back to the end of the 19th century.
- The history and recreation of the manual fabrication,
sheet by sheet, of "rag paper",
as perpetuated since the time of the mill of Richard de Bas in 1326.
- The precursors of paper
- Reproductions of hand made papers from the mill of Richard de Bas.
- Some documents coming from the Historical Museum of Paper collections (Ambert, Puy de Dôme).
- An exhibition of "books in everyday life", with photographs and a selection of antique books from the castle's library.
Visit the castle in July and August
For information,
please call ++33 (0) 553 823 021
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