History of the Château d'Assier

The "other victor of the battle of Marignan" ! This was the pride and joy of Galiot de Genouillac, the famous builder of Assier castle. Today, his immense, luxurious building stands amidst the Causse and its sheep, as a ghost ship of a bygone era.

Let's go back in time to the Renaissance era...

The remains of a sumptuous residence

Jacques Ricard Gourdon de Genouillac, known as Galiot, was a close friend of King Franis 1 of France. He had his imposing château built between 1510 and 1547 on his lands of Quercy, far away from the "châteaux de la Loire" of the king's other familiars. Today, a single wing bears witness to one of the finest buildings of its time, lavish and rich in all the standards of the French Renaissance. The château, a rectangle with high towers at each corner, was organized around a courtyard and featured a gallery, grand straight staircases and high roofs with dormer windows. and facades punctuated by abundant sculpted decoration.

Vue aérienne générale du château d'Assier
© David Bordes - Centre des monuments nationaux

A glorious hero

Let us introduce you to Galiot, Genouillac's knightly nickname!

He was made Master of artillery in 1515. His role and talent, particularly in the use of artillery, were decisive in the victory at Marignan (Italy).

Back from Italy after the war, he flaunts his good fortune in the decoration of facades. The mythological hero Hercules, the canons of victory, his collar of knighthood in the Royal Order of Saint Michael, are arranged around the sword of the Grand Écuyer. an important function entrusted to him by Francis 1 of France in recognition of his good service. As an enlightened lord, Galiot also carried out many improvements in his village.

Portrait de Galiot de Genouillac, fragment d'estampe
© Reproduction de Jean-Luc Paillé - Centre des Monuments Nationaux

A reconversion of sorts...

In the 18^th century, Galiot's descendants abandoned this remote provincial château. They called on a property dealer to sell the materials and ornaments... The inhabitants then built barns, houses and gates from the noble remains of Galiot's house, marking the village of Assier with the memory of the great man.

Eagle-eye in the Monuments Historiques category, Prosper Mérimée noticed this château in 1841, the first witness to the Renaissance in the South-West. It wasn't listed until 1901, and was then acquired by the French government in 1934. The links between the château and the village, and Galiot's avant-garde spirit, continue to be at the heart of the activities offered today by the Centre des monuments nationaux.

Come and visit the château and discover and discover all our activities!

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