Listed village castle set in 3 ha (7.4 acres) in Gascony

Description

In a dominant situation, overlooking the sheer cliff to the south-west, and the village to the south-east, the castle is bordered by 3 ha (7.4 acres) of land on its other two sides. This 360 degree panoramic view does not include anything that might spoil the scenery.
The three storey building is built over vaulted cellars. Started in the 13th century by the Earls of Lomagne, it underwent several modifications up until the middle of the 17th century, in particular, the opening of tall, wide windows in the north-east facade. The polychrome decoration of the so-called hall of justice is currently a reconstitution of how it was in the 18th century. The castle became the property of sharecroppers during the French Revolution. Its condition deteriorated over the years, and major rescue and restoration works were carried out as of the 1970’s. These included the rebuilding of the top floor of the keep and the installing of a library on a mezzanine floor. Such works have put the entire building in a state of repair such that no works involving the ridge, masonry, roofing framework, flagstones, tiles or parquet flooring are necessary. All works were carried out in accordance with good trade practices by skilled craftsmen. Running water and electric wiring were discretely installed, enabling the installation of a kitchen and showers with toilets on every floor. One of the main qualities of this restoration project was to preserve the authenticity of the building.

The castle’s architectural characteristics include its two axes of symmetry: one corresponding to the median axis of the south-west and north-east facades; the other to the north-west/south-east diagonal, flanked by a tower at each of its ends. Geometry is reflected throughout the property. There are decorative wall features with foliated scrolls dating from the 17th century.

A total of twenty rooms are spread over the various levels. Heating consists of the burning of wood in the fireplaces.

The esplanade to the south-west is bordered on one side by a long outbuilding, which was once a wine storehouse or a stable, defining the boundary between the castle estate and the village.

A 40 m² cover was built over the courtyard and it is currently used as a storage area for farm machines and tools.

Our opinion

The road leading up to the castle is steep such that the fortress cannot be seen straightaway. The austerity of the Gascony castle initially dominates the overall impression. Separated from the village by a long building, the castle appears isolated on the edge of two worlds. And therein lies its charm: its angular architecture holds a surprise in store, the discovery of what is almost a baroque scenography where the stage opens on to the surrounding countryside. Village castle, true, but not in its centre, exalted by this three hundred and sixty degree view over the undulating countryside. The inside of the house, however, gives a different impression: light is not only plentiful, but also highly controlled in its effects. The Age of Reason knew how to instil another vision of the world in this ancient building, without losing its character. There is nothing more astonishing than the way the shadow plays on the stairway or in the bend of a short communicating corridor between two rooms. The 18th century, in turn, donated its own character, one of grace. Our contemporaries now have the chance to continue the work that was started eight hundred years ago, vast conversion possibilities giving free rein to their imagination.