In 1499 Jean de Plamon, assigned by Pope Alexandre VI, established himself at Biron. Baron Pons de Gontaut (owner of the Chateau) and his brother Armand (who was bishop of Sarlat) gave de Plamon the rules that established a new religious chapter at the site.
These rules required that anyone living at the Prieuré had to be a priest or become one within a year. They also were obliged to pray daily for Pons and his family.
Pons started six permanent vicarages within the Prieuré accommodating many priests "sans cure" (without presbytery - a place to live). The canons of Biron began to function on Easter Day, 1515. The priests reportedly obtained for their support the gifts (tithes) of the parishes of St Martin de Dropt and of Parranquet. This suggests that the priests of the Prieuré likely said mass and did weddings, baptisms and funerals at Biron's three churches - and traveled to nearby villages as well.
Based on the Sarlat and Perigord Meridional Tomme III by Jean Maubourguet. PSHAP 1955 pp 139-140
And so, the ancient house was established in 1515 as a place of prayer and residence for at least six priests. It is referred to in the Dictionary of Chateaux of the Perigord, Guy Penaud, as a "Chartreuse sur cave." This suggests the presence of underground vaults that might have connected the Prieuré to the Chateau or served as emergency exits or for wine storage. We haven't found any yet so we can't know for sure.
Penaud describes the building as a "sober edifice, majestically constructed in a position with a beautiful view, crowned by a generous cornice of stone and covered with a Mansard-style roof." The principal body looks to the South. This elevation has four large "picture" windows with divided panes. Above are dormer windows that were probably added in the Renaissance period. Penaud notes "Two wings with flat roofs appear to have been added late in the 18th century." Indeed, the front section of the Prieuré containing the Salle d'Exposition and facing the Chateau has the year 1779 etched on the stone above the front door.) Penaud's account continues... "There also is a slender turret." This surely is the tower of the Prieuré, thought to be the last of several that existed along the perimeter of the original defensive wall of the village. In fact, we know that the South-facing wall of the structure dates to the 12th century or earlier.
Other original features confirm that the Prieuré was a working monastery. The tower end of the building contains a brick-lined bread oven large enough to bake for dozens of people. Quite possibly it served for a time as the boulangerie for the entire village. It is estimated that the peak population of Biron - about 2000 was reached in the 16th century.
Ownership of the Prieuré through the centuries is difficult to trace. It probably was part of the Gontaut Biron family holdings. We know that the Chateau itself was in the family from the 12th to the 20th centuries.
It is believed that it was a single-family residence for most of the 20th century. Its sheer volume (800m² - about 8,000 square feet of floor space) make it a formidable challenge to maintain. We know it was owned by a US-based consortium in the mid-1990's. They planned to create here a grand school for the Perigordine cooking arts. It was to house up to 40 students for extended study. This plan was not realized. A near-tragic fire took place in the salon and the house sat empty for a time until it was purchased in 1997 by a semi-retired French couple - Norbert Hubert from the Alsace region and Jacqueline Rolland from Normandy. Much of the main floor renovation and two first floor rooms were completed by them during their six years of ownership. They also added new roof sections, a secure parking area, and a beautifully landscaped rear garded.
American Francophiles Dan Dullaghan and Patricia Pearson purchased Le Prieuré in late 2002 and had it ready to open as a deluxe B&B in mid-2003. In September 2005 Sally Evans and her two adult children Mark and Rachel, bought Le Prieuré. Since that time they have been improving the work of the previous owners to make Le Prieuré an even more luxurious and elegant holiday home.
Le Histoire du Prieuré au Chateau de Biron
En 1499, l'official Jean De Plamon, délégué par le pape Alexandre VI, se rend á Biron. Le Baron Pons de Gontaut et son frére Armand, évêque de Sarlat lui presentent les statuts qui règlementeront le nouveau chapitre: tous les chapelains doivent être prêtres ou le devenir dans le quotidiennement pur le fontateur et sa famile.
Pons institua six vicairies perpétuelles desservies par autant de prêtres sans cure. Les chanoines de Biron sont entrés en fonction le jour de Pâque de l'an 1515. Ils obtiennent pour leur entrtien les dîmes inféodées des paroisses de St-Martin-de-Drot et de Parranquet.
(Sarlat et le Perigord Meridional Tomme III de Jean Maubourguet. PSHAP 1955 pages 139/140
Alors, cette ancienne maison des Chamoines entré en fonction en 1515. Il est egalement appele un "chartreuse" de Biron sur cave. C'est un édiface sobre et majestueux contruit en bel appariel, couronné par une généreuse corniche de Pierre et couvert d'un toit à la Mansart. Au corps principal, percé au Sud de quatre baies segmentaires, sous d'augustes lucarnes a fronton en plein-cintre, deux ailes à toits plats semblent avior été soudées postérieument au XVIII° seicle. It existe aussi une fluette tourelle d'angle. (Dictonnaire des châteaux du Pérogord, du Guy Penaud page 39)
History
