The Château du Tauzia, built in the early 13th century in Maignaut-Tauzia, is a Gascon-type castle. While usually called Château du Tauzia, it is known locally as le Tauzia, a name derived from the tauzin, or black oak. The castle was first mentioned in 1362 when it belonged to Menaud de Barbazan, before being sold in 1479 to Jean de Marestang.
The Marestang family held the estate for nearly two hundred years across more than ten generations. It was Jean II de Marestang, the son of the first acquirer, who returned from the Italian wars and opened large windows with mullions to replace the archeries. He also added a circular staircase to the southeast facade to serve the upper floors.
The main body of the castle is a rectangular structure with a ground floor originally devoid of openings. The interior was later divided into two floors by a refend wall with fireplaces. The castle was acquired by Hector de Gelas in 1640, but he lived there little; after his death five years later, the castle remained abandoned.
Damaged during the Fronde, the building gradually fell into ruin, with the staircase being destroyed in the 19th century. Today, the castle remains in ruins, and its historical significance is noted in local heritage records.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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