Castle of Lavardens - Art center in Gascony Discover nine centuries of stories in Gascony

Opening hours

Closed

  • Monday 10:00 am - 12:30 am 02:00 pm - 06:00 pm
  • Tuesday 10:00 am - 12:30 am 02:00 pm - 06:00 pm
  • Wednesday 10:00 am - 12:30 am 02:00 pm - 06:00 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 am - 12:30 am 02:00 pm - 06:00 pm
  • Friday 10:00 am - 12:30 am 02:00 pm - 06:00 pm
  • Saturday 10:00 am - 12:30 am 02:00 pm - 06:00 pm
  • Sunday 10:00 am - 12:30 am 02:00 pm - 06:00 pm

Opens at 10:00 am

Useful information

  • Guide du Routard
  • Michelin Le Guide Vert
  • Plus Beaux Villages de France
  • Le Petit d'Artagnan
  • Famille Plus
  • Monument Historique
  • Gers en Gascogne
  • Région Occitanie
  • Grand Auch

Location : Countryside

Province : The Pyrenean Valleys

Services

  • Cash
  • Chèques Vacances (Holiday voucher)
  • Credit card accepted
  • English spoken
  • Entertainment
  • Groups
  • Open all year round
  • Parking
  • Spanish spoken
  • open 7/7
  • English
    • Classified as a Historic Monument in 1961, Lavardens castle was rebuilt by Antoine de Roquelaure, on the ruins of the castle of the Counts of Armagnac. Built on a rocky outcrop, the fortress of the Counts of Armagnac benefited from a vast visual field which allowed surveillance and security. Born from a love story, this castle took its current form with the Marshal of France, Antoine de Roquelaure, who built this building for his young wife, Suzanne de Bassabat. Sometimes a noble residence, sometimes a co-ownership with twelve occupants, its uses and transformations were multiple, the castle has lived many lives and adventures over the centuries. Saved by an association, the Château de Lavardens also features an art center hosting exhibitions and events throughout the season. Camille Claudel, Dali, the art of Santon… so many discoveries each year in the many rooms of the castle.

      SUCH A SINGULAR ARCHITECTURE

      Built on a rocky outcrop, the fortress of the Counts of Armagnac benefited from a vast visual field which allowed surveillance and security. Only a few remains of the medieval castle remain. It is at the western end of the main body of the castle and opposite in the southeast wing that the more important remains of the initial fortress are preserved. In 1620, Antoine de Roquelaure surrounded himself with two great architects: Pierre Souffron, general architect to the king, and Pierre Levesville, one of the architects of Auch Cathedral. The castle uniquely combines the Italian Renaissance style with the maintained feudal posture.



      Lavardens Castle attracts attention for its exceptional belvedere, obtained thanks to a balcony developed on three facades, the abundant fenestration of immense windows and overhanging turrets. It was designed to enjoy the widest horizon, it is one of the most beautiful views of Gascony. The west towers, built in the 17th century, rest on the buttresses of the medieval castle. They rise overhanging the corbels or horns. The towers are a true architectural feat of the time. They are only places of passage and allow the galleries to be connected to each other. On the south facade, a wooden gallery rested on stone corbels.

      With its imposing appearance, the castle makes few concessions to the decor but it has a beautiful interior decoration: an exceptional set of pavements from the 17th century. The castle has seventeen rooms with different floors. They are made up of pink bricks (local terracotta) and cut stones (local light limestone). The motifs, different in each of the rooms, apparently have a meaning. No other monument is known with such a diversity of pavements.

  • Français

Traveller Reviews Castle of Lavardens - Art center in Gascony

4.3 sur 5 1419 reviews

  • Christopher Seater

    3 sur 5 Reviews posted by Christopher Seater on 11/05/2024

    The glass exhibition was really good. Worth a visit

  • ntonckens

    5 sur 5 Reviews posted by ntonckens on 08/08/2021

    Very interesting visit of this castle with in addition a beautiful exhibition inside. Its exterior architecture is remarkable. Don’t forget to go down into the village, one of the most beautiful in France

  • David Grenthe

    5 sur 5 Reviews posted by David Grenthe on 02/05/2023

    A very beautiful little village. Well worth visiting with its castle from 10th century and the adorable church with nice view

Traveller Reviews Castle of Lavardens - Art center in Gascony

4.0 sur 5 243 reviews

  • "Shopping or Sightseeing?"

    3 / 5 Reviews posted by PTulip (York) on 21/04/2019

    This is a beautiful ancient château Outside it looks brilliant both from a distance and close up Initially thought that the 14+€ entry fee was worth while till we got inside It was a bloody shop...

    Read the full review
  • "Beautiful château and artwork"

    4 / 5 Reviews posted by Daleen D (Boulogne sur Gesse, France) on 23/03/2019

    A beautiful château with stunning views of the surrounding area, especially from the rooftop. The art exhibition is well laid out and very interesting and different pieces of art on display. Worth a...

    Read the full review
  • "Wonderful and interesting chateau, if you can get in."

    1 / 5 Reviews posted by Ge0rgia49 (Bedford, United Kingdom) on 04/09/2018

    Interesting chateau and exhibitions but the opening times as posted on the web and beside the front door are not to be believed. We travelled some distance to visit on a Monday morning in early...

    Read the full review

Ride around

LAVARDENS - ROQUELAURE À VÉLO

LAVARDENS - ROQUELAURE À VÉLO
LAVARDENS - ROQUELAURE À VÉLO

166 m - Lavardens

Electrically assisted bicycle

LAVARDENS : CIRCUIT DU CHATEAU

LAVARDENS : CIRCUIT DU CHATEAU
LAVARDENS : CIRCUIT DU CHATEAU

206 m - Lavardens

Walking Mountain bike

LAVARDENS - PEYRUSSE-MASSAS À VÉLO

LAVARDENS - PEYRUSSE-MASSAS À VÉLO
LAVARDENS - PEYRUSSE-MASSAS À VÉLO

217 m - Lavardens

Electrically assisted bicycle

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Castle of Lavardens - Art center in Gascony

Address

Château de Lavardens
32360 Lavardens

GPS coordinates

43° 45'39.14"N, 0° 30'39.33"E

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