Ventadour

Ventadour is a commune in the Corrèze department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in central France. The municipality covers an area of 22.43 square kilometres and is situated at an elevation that ranges from 31 to 276 metres above sea level. The population, recorded in recent censuses, has hovered around a few hundred residents, reflecting a small and close‑knit community.

The most prominent feature of the commune is the Château de Ventadour, a ruined medieval fortress that originally served as the seat of the House of Ventadour. The castle, first documented in the 12th century, was expanded over several centuries and played a role in the regional power struggles of feudal France. Excavations on the site have uncovered remnants of the original fortress walls and several chapels, offering insights into the medieval architecture of the region.

Ventadour’s history is intertwined with the development of the surrounding Corrèze landscape. The village itself lies near the confluence of the Sioule and the Sioule tributaries, which historically provided water resources and facilitated modest agricultural activities. Its economy has traditionally relied on small‑scale farming, forestry, and increasingly on heritage tourism centred on the château ruins and the village’s preserved rural character.

In the 20th century, the commune entered into intercommunal cooperation with the Communauté de communes de la Montagne Noire, fostering regional development initiatives such as rural tourism promotion and environmental preservation programmes. Despite its small size, Ventadour maintains several municipal services, including a primary school and a community centre that hosts local cultural events.

Ventadour’s coat of arms features a representation of the château and elements that reflect the family symbols of the historic House of Ventadour. The commune’s postal code is 19110, and it is administered by the mayor whose term aligns with the standard French municipal cycle. Overall, Ventadour represents a modest but historically rich locality, offering a glimpse into the medieval heritage of central France and the contemporary dynamics of rural communes.