The Château de Lagrange-Monrepos was originally a medieval castle in the commune of Nérac in the Lot-et-Garonne département of France,[1] controlling the valley of the Baïse
| Château de Lagrange-Monrepos | |
|---|---|
| Nérac, Lot-et-Garonne in France | |
  Château de Lagrange-Monrepos | |
| Coordinates | 44°09′29″N 0°19′16″E / 44.15806°N 0.32111°E |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Private[1] |
| Site history | |
| Built | 16-17th century |
History
editDuring the Renaissance, the installation of the court of Navarre in Nérac resulted in the construction or renovation of rich homes for the entourage of the Albret family. Thus, around 1550, the Château de Lagrange-Monrepos would have been built or renovated by Henry I of Albret (Henry II of Navarre)[2] and, according to tradition, offered to his mistress, Marianne Alespée.[3]
Architecture
editThe military aspect of the building is characterised by the six towers that rise around the house. The loopholes in the corner towers of the courtyard were kept to facilitate the use of firearms at the time of the French Wars of Religion. Large crosses in stone with moulded frames and pediments open onto the courtyard and towards the Baïse.
Protection
editThe château is privately owned and not open to the public. It has been listed since 1990 as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture and classified since 1991. The castle, the entrance staircase, its round tower and the fountain are classified as well as the outbuildings, the towers and the walls, as well as the dovecote and its mechanism.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Base Mérimée: Château de Lagrange-Monrepos, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
- ^ Henry I of Albret was king under the name of Henri II of Navarre. Henri II d'Albret was King Henri IV. Henri II of Navarre is often wrongly called Henri II of Albret.
- ^ This legend has its origin in the "Notice Historique sur la ville de Nérac" by the count of Villeneuve-Bargemont, written from documents of M. Larrard-Villary and published in 1807. It is refuted by G. de Lagrange-Ferrègues in the Revue de l’Agenais, Bulletin de la Société des Sciences, Lettres et Arts d’Agen, March 1958 issue, where it is proved that Marianne Alespée was the daughter of Colette Bonnel and Jean III of Navarre, father of Henri II of Navarre
Bibliography
edit- Philippe Lauzun, "Le château de Lagrange-Monrepos", Revue de l'Agenais, 1901, vol 28, pp. 381–402 (in French)
- Jean Burias, Guide des châteaux de France : Lot-et-Garonne, p. 57, Hermé, Paris, 1985 ISBN 978-2-86665-009-4 (in French)
External links
edit- Visite en Aquitaine : Château de Lagrange-Monrepos
- Base Mérimée: Château de Lagrange-Monrepos, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
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