Abandoned 13th-Century Castle: Château de Lagardère

The Château de Lagardère, set in the commune of Lagardère, Gers, near Valence-sur-Baïse, is one of a few gascon castles with a confirmed 13th-century construction date. It was donated by Count Géraud V and Abbé Auger in 1270 for the construction of a fortified ovrage. Built specifically for Abbé Auger by Guillaume de Nérac, the château remained in the possession of Abbots and Bishops of Condom until 1571, and was then sold to Pierre de Lavardac. In the 16th and 17th centuries, modifications were made to the interior, but the details remain unclear.

Despite its current state of ruins, the castle measures 25 meters long, slightly trapezoidal, and 12 meters wide in the north, 10 meters in the south. A massive tower extends from the south, while two high, square watchtowers are on the north face. Access to the château was through a ground-level door on the west, with the first level serving as a cellar.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons