The castles of the Hautes-Pyrénées

Opening photo: ©   Philipimage | Adobestock

Photos of the article © Guide Toulouse Pyrénées, except where mention is made to the contrary

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Medieval towers, witnesses of the first fortifications in the Hautes-Pyrénées

During the fortification of the castle mounds, stone towers gradually replaced the wooden constructions of yesteryear. It is usually a defense tower, set on top of a hill. At the foot of the mound, surrounding walls are gradually erected to protect a few buildings, intended to ensure the survival of peasants and warriors. These towers still mark the landscape of the Hautes-Pyrénées today. Here are a few examples:  

• The tower of the eleventh ^century and the ruins of the ramparts of Tramezaygues
• The tower of Agos-Vidalos, twelfth ^century
• The tower of Avezac the twelfth ^century, in Avezac-Prat-Lahitte
• Tower Héchette the ^twelfth century Hèches
• Tower Vieuzac, Argeles Gazost, built in the thirteenth ^century and maintained until the eighteenth ^century
• The tower of the Angles, of the fourteenth ^century

The village of Tramezaïgues © Father Igor CC BY-SA 3.0

The fortified castles of the Middle Ages

Fortified castle of Lourdes

The Château fort de Lourdes is probably the most emblematic of the Pyrenean castles. Built in the eleventh ^century, it has retained its medieval architecture and has been preserved despite the assaults he suffered. Converted into a museum, it offers you an overview of Pyrenean history, through everyday objects, festive costumes, furniture or crafts... For children, fun tours, in the form of games of puzzles, are provided by age group. You can also enjoy the outdoors in the botanical garden and contemplate the magnificent panorama on the terraces and esplanades of the castle.

• Want to know more? Read our article on this legendary city: Let's visit Lourdes together. (fr)
  

Fortified castle of Lourdes

Bramevaque Castle

Château Bramevaque was the stronghold of the Counts of Comminges. Its history is poorly documented, but over time, it is the legend that has filled the gaps. Amid the ruins of the ancient fortress of the eleventh ^century, you can enter the tower where Margaret, Countess of Comminges, was locked up by her husband. It is very well preserved, freely accessible. The panorama at the top of the keep is magnificent. The medieval village below also deserves a visit, especially its church of the twelfth ^century.

Bramevaque Castle © Father Igor CC BY-SA 3.0

Castle of the Black Prince

The Château du Prince Noir is a beautiful mansion with the allure of a manor house, transformed into guest rooms. Originally a tower is built in the eleventh ^century, on the heights of the village of Arcizans-Avant. The castle takes its name during the Hundred Years War, on the occasion of its occupation by Edward of Woodstock, known as the " Black Prince ". After centuries of neglect, it will be rebuilt in the twentieth ^century, in its present form.

Mauvezin Castle

The Château de Mauvezin is a former Castelnau. Its construction began in the twelfth ^century by a tower and its fortifications evolve until the fourteenth ^century by Gaston Phoebus. His strategic position was highly coveted and he changed hands many times. The lack of interest of its owners ended up having the better of him and in the twentieth ^century, it is only a shadow of himself. It will finally be saved by an association which has implemented a formidable restoration and still manages the site today. You can visit it all year round. During the summer season, it comes alive with medieval shows and reconstructions.

The " castelnau " is a Gascon term, which designates a castle town, that is to say built around a castle. This term comes from the word " castel ", the castle, associated with the adjective " nau ", new. These "new castles" are developing around the eleventh ^century, when the fortification period of the first villages. The stone fortresses are gradually replacing the old feudal mottes. They consist of a keep, surrounded by a surrounding wall. Some buildings allow shelter inside. The rest of the village extends to the outskirts of the fortified enclosure, under the protection of the lord and his men-at-arms.

Montaner Castle

The Château de Montaner is the finest example of architecture fébusienne fourteenth ^century. And for good reason, Gaston Fébus had big plans for this fortified castle. Its vocation as an administrative capital did not prevent this great military strategist from fortifying the site, in a characteristic style! Thus an immense tower of 40 meters, in red brick, overhangs the hill, offering an exceptional panorama on the surroundings and up to the Pyrenean peaks.

If only the large tower and part of the enclosure remain of the fortifications, the site offers an impressive setting for events and events. Each week, the theme changes allowing you to rediscover the places in a new light and better understand life in medieval times. The tower can only be accessed by a guided tour to explain the history of the castle.

Photo : © Montaner Castle

Beaucens Castle

Beaucens Castle was built in the fourteenth ^century. If it was inhabited until the ^seventeenth century and revived different times, it remains a tower and battlements. It evokes an astonishing legend, where an eagle, carrying a trout, would have put an end to a siege... Curiously, it now houses a zoological park, the "Keep of the Eagles". This one has a vocation of preservation of raptors. It presents educational shows, to help you get to know them better.

• Find out more: We take you to the Dungeon of the Eagles to see the grandiose spectacle of the lords of the sky.

Beaucens castle © Lesley Williamson

Mauléon-Barousse Castle

The Castle of Mauleon Barousse is a beautiful building, built in the eleventh ^century, but still inhabited and therefore altered many times until the twentieth ^century. It is a private residence, which cannot be visited, but you can admire it while walking through the charming village of Mauléon-Barousse. Many streams converge there, offering a bucolic setting. You can also visit the Maison des Sources, a museum on the sources of La Barousse.

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Chateau Sainte-Marie

At Esterre, Chateau St. Mary dates from the tenth ^century, but it will be modified until the fourteenth ^century. In the fifteenth ^century, it was abandoned and never regain its former glory. It offers you a nice walk and a beautiful panorama over the valley.

The beautiful residences of the classical period

Gardères castle

Gardères Castle is a beautiful building of eighteenth ^century. Its origin is older but only archives remain and the castle has been completely rebuilt, in a classic style. Guided tours are organized there during the summer and during events. You can also see very beautiful “French ” gardens there. The youngest will appreciate the farmyard animals and the discovery of old vegetables in the vegetable garden.

Garderes Castle © Bollystolly CC BY SA 4.0

Miramont castle

The Miramont Castle is family home built between the ^seventeenth and the eighteenth ^century, the ancient castle of Adast. Still inhabited, you can only visit it during Heritage Days.

You are now ready to use the old stones of the oldest buildings in the Hautes-Pyrénées. We wish you wonderful discoveries !

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