Qui sommes-nous ? | Château de Belmont-Sainte-Foi

Our history

ABOUT US...

Welcome to our home… Anne-Catherine, Christophe, Maximilien and Alexandre.

In 2019, our dream became reality… After several months of research, we fell in love with Château de Belmont-Sainte-Foi.
Metro, work, sleep… no more for us! We decided to leave everything behind and change our lives.

Renovating a château that had been abandoned for over 30 years was going to be an exciting adventure! It was, and still is!

With our sleeves rolled up, we begin the work, helped by craftsmen for some of the more sensitive areas such as roofing, electricity and drainage.

The children have been involved in the project from the outset. They’ve got their hands dirty and, little by little, they’re becoming the real Swiss army knives of renovation.

It’s amazing how enriching this experience is from every point of view.

Of course, we’re completely out of our comfort zone. We’re a long way from our original professions and our previous lives. We had already renovated an old village school. Let’s just say that the scale here is a bit different…!

Our friends describe us as bon vivants, gourmets and open to the world. One thing is certain: we believe in the richness of encounters, and this new life is very much like us.

By the way, did we tell you?

We’re not travelling alone: our life companion is Lascar. He’s a magnificent Belgian shepherd (Groenendael) who’s been with us for over 11 years. He may look impressive because his coat is all black, but he’s absolutely charming.

THE HISTORY OF THE CHÂTEAU

In 1259, Guillaume de Belfort paid tribute to the Count of Poitiers by ceding his lands and the villa of Belmont. The lords of Belmont, probably still members of the Belfort family, are mentioned in 1346 and 1369. During the 15th century, the lordship was divided between the Desprez de Montpezat and the Carit de Puylaroque families.

Later, in 1595, the Vignes, who were Lords of Puylaroque, became owners of part of the Seigneurie. The Laburgades, Lords of Lalbenque, took possession of the other part in the 17th century.

The de Laburgade de Belmont family owned the château for over 200 years. At the start of the 2nd World War, La baronne de Laburgade de Belmont, whose husband had died and who had no descendants, sold the château to the Jacques family, who kept it until the 1970s. It was then bought by an industrialist from the Cadur region, who carried out extensive renovation work before gradually abandoning it. The property remained uninhabited for almost 30 years before we bought it at the end of 2019. Since then, we’ve been committed to restoring it to its former glory, while adding a touch of modernity.

The dwelling originally had four towers, but was reduced to a single round tower, in the north-east corner, after the fire of the French Revolution. The split entrance door, a walled window and a balustraded staircase date from the 17th century, as does the French ceiling, which still bears traces of painted decoration.

The outer walls preserve a few ashlar sections and an archway, possibly the remains of a medieval rectangular dwelling. To the east of the property is a group of outbuildings, and in the grounds is a timber-framed dovecote with 9 columns.

The name Sainte Foy was added to the original name of the village because of a legend recorded two centuries later in the “Liber Miraculorum Sanctae Fidis”.

In 886, a monk by the name of Aronisse stole the relics of Saint Foy from Agen to take them to his monastery in Conques. On his journey, he stopped off in Belmont at the cemetery to rest. A chapel was later erected in memory of this pious act. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by Protestants during the Wars of Religion.

RENOVATION WORK

The last restoration before us dates back to the 1970s.
When we bought it, the place hadn’t been lived in for nearly 30 years and was in need of complete restoration. The property was completely uninhabitable: there was no drinking water or electricity. The vegetation had completely taken over.

Eventually, the château will welcome you to its 5 guest rooms and 3 holiday cottages on a 5-hectare estate in the heart of the Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park.
It can also be used for private events: weddings, birthdays, seminars, team-building, etc.

We welcome you to our charming guest rooms and holiday cottages, which have been lovingly renovated. A touch of modernity in an exceptional setting steeped in history.

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