Château de Limargue, a manor house nestled in the Cirque d’Autoire
The Château de Limargue overlooks the picturesque village of Autoire, located a stone’s throw from the renowned Gouffre de Padirac.
The castle an village are nestled in the heart of the Cirque d’Autoire, a natural amphitheatre formed by two vertiginous 150-meter-high cliffs.
Considered a natural wonder of great ecological importance, the site was awarded the Sensitive Natural Area label in 2009.
The Regional Council has taken measures to protect this preserved landscape by restricting access to the cliff tops, which are now only accessible on foot.
Chateau de Limargue, the manor house of a valiant knight
The Chevalier de Lafon built the Château de Limargue at the end of the 15th century at the foot of cliffs, and on the southern edge of the village.
Legend has it that King Charles VIII noticed a commoner named Lafon for his remarkable bravery and daring during the Italian military campaigns.
In recognition of his valour, the king bestowed upon Lafon the prestigious title of knight, as well as the rare privilege of erecting towers and machicolations, a right traditionally reserved for the nobility alone.
With his new status, the Chevalier de Lafon adorned his coat of arms with a shining star.
He also had this star engraved on his castle’s stair tower.
The Château de Limargue was classified as a historical monument in 1929 and is privately owned.
It boasts a high-quality architectural ensemble, such as its charming old roofs adorned with dormer windows, as well as its majestic stair tower and its imposing round defensive tower.
The stair tower is located at the corner of the main building and the wing, and features a superb corbelled turret and a pointed roof.
It is surmounted by a remarkably well-preserved dovecote.
The massive round defence tower remains as imposing as ever, although its machicolations were unfortunately demolished during the renovations of the main building in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Village of Autoire, ranked among the most beautiful villages in France
Nestled on the edge of the Causse de Gramat plateau, the picturesque village of Autoire boasts a rich and breathtaking architectural heritage.
Classified among the most beautiful villages in France, Autoire is affectionately nicknamed “Little Versailles” for its wealth of splendid residences, many of which are listed historical monuments, such as the Manoir de Laroque-Delparat, the Château de Busquelles, the Château de la Roque-Maynard, and the Manoir Colomb.
The village also boasts numerous religious architectural treasures, such as the Chapel of Saint-Roch and the Romanesque Church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul.
As for the charming houses of the village, they bear witness to the timeless charm of the architecture of the Quercy region.
The origin of the name Autoire dates back to the period: “altus” and “duros” meaning fortress. Indeed, for centuries, the village’s strategic position attracted new inhabitants who settled in the natural rock shelters of the cliff.
At the end of the 12th century, the lord of Autoire further fortified the village by building La Roque d’Autoire – Château des Anglais, a troglodytic fortress whose ruins still dominate the village.
Department of Lot – Autoire
Coordinates: Lat 44.853417 – Long 1.819715
