FR - Standing in the heart of Sanilhac and a few steps from the media library, the Tourasse de Sanilhac, an ancient witness to the original castle of this small town, dates back to the 12th century.
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The first mention of the Tourasse, built under the impetus of Bermond I, Lord of Uzès and vassal of the Count of Toulouse, dates back to 1156 (source: LaTourasse.com).
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From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance
An intrinsic part of the adjoining seigneurial residence, to which it was connected by an interior door, the Tourasse also served as a refuge for villagers in the event of attack.
Converted into a dovecote around the 17th century, the Tourasse, which previously had five floors, retains the distinctive features of medieval architecture: cut stone, eaves (325 in total), vaulted ceilings, arrow slits...
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Did you know? The number of pigeons owned by the lord corresponded to the number of acres on his estate...
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Converted into a mill, reminiscent of its agricultural past, the Tourasse had many lives and is now opening its doors to a future, rooted in modernity but with deep ties to the past (©La Tourasse de Sanilhac, presumed to date from the early 20th century, archives of the Sanilhac-Sagriès Town Hall, Ferré Collection).
Project of a lifetime
Acquired in 2013 by ceramicist Alexandra Hajek, a historian and medievalist, the Tourasse in the making will bring together the historic building and the renovated barn, transformed into an artists' studio and exhibition space, in a multifaceted space. Combining Alexandra's historical and artistic passions is an integral part of the ‘Tourasse’ project.
This is a real challenge for Alexandra, but she has the active and supportive backing of patrons (76 to date, whose names are engraved on the Tourasse), the Fondation Patrimoine and companies specialising in historical renovation.
A restoration carried out to the highest standards
Restored with care and passion by Alexandra since 2016, this historic tower which was once part of the village's defensive structures and part of a network of signal towers that connected the Duchy of Uzès and the Priory of Saint-Nicolas at a distance (by fire at night and smoke during the day), is now part of the Fondation du Patrimoine's adventure, a wonderful reward for the work accomplished... and the one still to come.
The renovation plans, carefully supervised by Alexandra, demonstrate her desire to only use professionals who work according to best practice (such as the Laithier), using the most traditional materials possible and those with the least impact on the environment.
The restoration of the keep also serves to highlight the chisel marks of the masons of the past, which echo through the centuries with the touches of modern craftsmen.
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A short glossary of medieval architecture... Arase: the upper level of a masonry structure, usually made completely flat, which serves as the base for the rest of the construction. Boulin: a hole made in a wall to accommodate the end of a beam. Arrow slit: a long, narrow opening in a wall for shooting a bow or crossbow. Buttress: a pillar or wall used to support and reinforce another wall. Genoise: a frieze composed of canal tiles under the edge of the roof used to keep rainwater away from the wall. Voussoirs: wedge-shaped (or truncated pyramid-shaped) cut stone forming the framework of an arch, or the centring of a vault or arcade...
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Under rehabilitation since 2016, the Tourasse is gradually coming back to life: Waterproofing of the vault, repair of the Genoese roof (the overlapping tiles that protect from the rain), oculus closed by a skydome that now illuminates the dovecote, cleaning of the arrow slits (including the superb quadruple voussoir arrow slit on the ground floor), repair of the façade and exterior and interior jointing, widening of the staircase leading to the first floor... This restoration would not have been possible without the remarkable assistance and unwavering support of Alexandra's family and friends, as well as the many volunteers, passionate about the Middle Ages and old buildings (the Tourasse is above all a training site, where forgotten techniques and respectful restoration of old buildings can be learned), the help provided by the first fundraiser and the online collection.
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Some important dates: 2022, launch of the project; 2023, start of the restoration of the building; early 2026, start of the restoration of the woodwork.
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Participatory workshops
The Tourasse is now entering a new phase of restoration as part of a second fundraising campaign. If Alexandra takes care of the dovecote and supervises the work on the upper floors, in which Guarch carpentry is taking an active part designing brand new wooden windows made as in the old time, the participatory workshops are open to anyone willing to contribute to the project and learn more about old buildings.
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‘In 2022, the Heritage Foundation launched its ’Heritage and Local Tourism' programme thanks to a donation from Airbnb. The aim of this programme is to encourage and provide financial support for projects to restore, preserve or rescue buildings or heritage assets that are designed to promote and boost local tourism by contributing to the attractiveness of the area" (fondation-patrimoine.org).
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Development of the village centre
Winner of the 2023 Heritage and Local Tourism Award presented by the Airbnb Foundation, a prize that recognises the quality of the project and its integration into the local tourist offering, the Tourasse fits in perfectly with life in the commune of Sanilhac and the improvement of the village's living environment, which is already well underway with the opening a few years ago of the Maison de la Réserve Naturelle des Gorges du Gardon, a small cabinet of curiosities: ‘Creation of a footpath to connect the eastern and western parts of the village, which will pass in front of the Tourasse, development of a small park, pedestrianisation of the church square’.
Many thanks to Alexandra Hajek for the guided tour of the Tourasse and her collaboration with UzEssentiel. To support the restoration of the Tourasse.
Photos©Gilbert Serra.
The right address: La Tourasse. Find La Tourasse on Instagram.