THE CASTLE OF GAUJACQ
History of Gaujacq Castle
Gaujacq Castle was built in the Landes near the confluence of the Luy, a tributary of the Adour. The site included ruins from the Gallo-Roman period as well as a wall dating back to the Middle Ages. Tradition says that Francis I would have stopped there after his imprisonment following the battle of Pavia. Attracted by the place, his knight Jean de Sourdis who accompanied him would have decided to settle there. The citadel of this period disappeared following the Lorraine war. François de Sourdis, descendant of Jean de Sourdis and representative of the army of Louis XIV, erected the castle that everyone knows today in 1686. The fear of Gascon uprisings led to building it on one level.
Gaujacq Castle is truly an unclassifiable work, both from an architectural point of view and from its location. Its original architecture is in the Italian Renaissance style, with a wooded park surrounded by a gallery. Classified as a National Historic Monument since 2002, the Château de Gaujacq was regionally registered there in 2019. It now belongs to the Casedevant family, who acquired it in 1960 and do everything possible to preserve the splendor of the building. and maintain the garden.
Visit of the castle
Immerse yourself in the heart of an impressive journey through time by visiting the Château de Gaujacq. The latter includes an interior courtyard built around arcades, as well as a magnificent green space reminiscent of 16th century Italy. Discover the remains of a chapel dedicated to Saint Francis in the park. Also appreciate plants over 200 years old, between magnolias and two remarkable trees from Asia. The botanical garden or plantarium, which has 3,000 plant varieties, is the work of the Thoby family, horticulturist botanists.
From the castle overlooking the Chalosse hill, you can enjoy a sumptuous panorama of the Pyrenees. Inside this stately home, charming apartments dating from the 17th and 18th centuries reveal their past to you. Furnished and inhabited by the current owners, they contain superb joinery and paintings from the time. It is the owners of the castle in person who guide you for the visit. They will give you all the secrets of the history of the places and many anecdotes. And perhaps you will have the happy surprise of discovering these enthusiasts dressed in period clothing for the occasion.
Rates and timetables
The castle is located on the Brassempoussy road, 92 km from the Landes Bleues campsite, a little over 1 hour and 20 minutes by road.
Prices
- Adult: €7;
- 12-18 years old: €6;
- Children under 12: free.
- Groups (reservation required): for 10 people, €5 per head and for 20 people, €4 per head.
Schedule
Guided tours are held between April and September:
- From mid-April to June 30 then in September: 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- July-August: no visits on Mondays; visits at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. the rest of the week. Every Monday in the summer season, nocturnal discoveries of the castle lit by candlelight are organized (by reservation).
In 2021, group visits are by appointment.