Castle Agen (47)

A Medieval & 18th century building set in 10 ha near to Agen on the heights of Lot-et-Garonne.
Ten or so kilometres from Agen, equidistant from Bordeaux and Toulouse.
The magnificent panoramic views of this part of the countryside around Agen are particularly sought after: when the weather conditions are right, the landscape is completely transformed and the highly characteristic silhouette of the Pyrenean mountain range quite magically appears strangely close along the southern horizon!
The proximity of the prefecture and all its advantages, airport, future TGV train station, sixth form colleges and universities, motorway slip road as well as supermarkets make this corner of Gascony particularly attractive as it appears to have everything going for it especially if its heritage, the renown of its gastronomy and its climate are taken into account.
This part of the French department has some of the most beautiful views of rolling countryside. It is possible to admire green valleys, woods and fields, chateaux and attractive farms as well as elegant Medieval bastides (fortified towns), proudly perched on their hills, for as far as the eye can see.
Passing the splendid ruins of a Benedictine church (listed as a French historic monument) on the left-hand side, visitors follow a majestic driveway lined with cedar trees to reach the property’s gates. They continue across the parklands planted with trees that are centuries old before the long, 18th century facade of the east-facing residence comes into view. The Medieval section of the chateau is to be found at the back on the south and west sides.
The chateau and its outbuildings (carcass in a very good state of repair) are set around a large garden. A little on one side and towards the rear of the chateau is a fully enclosed “priest’s garden”, a small vegetable and herb garden, communicating with the utility rooms. Behind this group of buildings is a vast cowshed (435 m²) which can be accessed via a narrow country lane running alongside the chateau on a lower level.
And lastly, accommodation for the caretaker has been converted in a section of the outbuildings (separate entrance).
The parklands, the garden, the driveway flanked by wide grassy strips and a wood, off to one side, form the grounds that span almost ten hectares.
A little backgroundThe origin of the property is lost in the mists of time. In fact, the archives of a Cluniac monastery, no longer in existence, confirm that it existed already in the 11th century: they recount the important role of the neighbouring fortress which was this chateau.
In the Middle-Ages the residence was flanked by four defensive towers and machicolation. The internal Medieval architecture often remained rudimentary as here, where there is just one vast room per floor.
It is known that the chateau was particularly exposed during the French Wars of Religion which experienced some extremely bitter episodes in this corner of Gascony.
The property was not modernised until the 18th century: defence no longer being a priority, it was decided to adapt the house to the new ways of living.
Consequently, a few towers were done away with and the building was lowered by a floor. A reception wing was created and the austere Medieval spiral stairway was favourably replaced with an elegant and majestic stone stairway that still takes pride of place in the main hall. The structure of the chateau has not been modified since this time.
Illustrious families succeeded one another in this residence and important historic characters were linked with this property. Charles VII (15th century) for example liked to come and stay here to admire the proud Gascony hills from the keep.
And, as is often the case in such places steeped in history, old legends allude to an underground passageway and treasure. Neither has yet been …