Château de Mercuès

En un regard

Le château en bref

Mercuès Castle overlooks the right bank of the Lot, in Mercuès, on a site listed since 1913. For some seven centuries it served as the summer residence of the Count-Bishops of Cahors; its oldest parts are dated to the 13th century, whereas the historic monuments listing places the main core in the 15th century. The complex is organised around a roughly square courtyard: a large southern range along the crest of the hillside, two perpendicular wings to the north, an enclosure wall and a gateway preceded by a moat, crossed by a bridge that replaces the former drawbridge. The courtyard façades, with their mullioned windows, were given their ordered layout in the 17th century; terraces, perrons and external staircases date from the 18th century, and the interiors were largely remodelled in the 19th century. Sold as national property in 1793, bought back in 1861 by Mgr Bardou, the castle became state property in 1905, was sold to Dr Faure in 1906, then turned into a restaurant by Georges Héreil in 1966 before being acquired by Georges Vigouroux in 1979. It has been partially listed as a historic monument since 15 September 1947 and houses a hotel, a gastronomic restaurant and a vineyard.