Château de Tiregand

Built in the 13th century by the eldest son of Henry III of England, the Château de Tiregand passed through many hands, including the Saint-Exupéry family, relatives of the famed author of The Little Prince.

Site History & Significance

The Château de Tiregand was originally built in the 13th century by Edward Tyrgan, son of Henry III of England. It played a key role in the Hundred Years’ War as well as the French Wars of Religion. It was reconstructed in the 18th century by Jean Charles d’Augeard, who converted parts of the château into wine cellars and gave it its present architectural form. In the 20th century, it came into the possession of the Saint-Exupéry family, relatives of the famous author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The current owner, Louis Guyot, acquired the château in 2022.

About the Restoration Project

The restoration project centers on the belvédère (pavilion), which has been at risk for many years. The first essential step is to secure the structure to prevent its collapse. The FHS restoration grant is focused on this initial phase.

In the second phase, a heritage architect will conduct a study to explore the overall restoration of the pavilion, with the aim of transforming it into a musical gathering spot overlooking the Dordogne Valley.

Château de Tiregand Today

The château’s interior is closed to the public except on the annual European Heritage Days in September.

Following completion of the restoration project, plans for the music pavilion include hosting a performance of L’oiseau de feu (The Firebird) by American violinist David Park on a Stradivarius that once belonged to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Nicknamed “The Firebird” for the red-orange hue of its varnish, the violin is also known as the “ex-Saint-Exupéry.” As violinist Gerald Elias eloquently expressed regarding the legacy of the violin, echoing Louis Guyot’s mission to preserve Tiregand, “I avoid using the word ‘owner.’ This is a violin that has never been, nor will ever be, owned. It simply gets transferred from the reverential hands of one dedicated caretaker to another, from one century to the next. May humanity enjoy another 300 years of its singular beauty.”