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Origin and history

The castle of Escalup, built in the 14th century (although some sources evoke an origin in the 13th century), is a typical example of a strong gasconne house, located in Lamontjoie in Lot-et-Garonne. Built by the family of Escalup, of which it bears the name, it consists of a body of rectangular houses joined to a tower with little salientness, later abrased. The first two levels, pierced by murderers, served as storage, while the upper floors, with large bays, sheltered the living spaces. A central stone pillar supported the third level floor, and wooden stairs (replaced partly by a stone screw staircase) served the floors. External crows suggest the ancient existence of wooden galleries or heavy ones.

In the 17th century, the castle passed into the hands of the Malvin family, which made major changes: modifications of the fourth level windows, addition of chimneys, and division of spaces into apartments. Dependencies date back to the 18th century. At the Revolution, the site was abandoned: the roof of the house collapsed, and the lands were attached to the nearby estate of Ferbos-Magnos. Ranked Historic Monument in 1999, the castle, bought in 2005, has since been restored.

Architecturally, Escalup embodies the characteristics of the gasconous houses of the Middle Ages, located at the edge of English and French possessions. Its defensive system was based on a ditch, a crenelated crown, and a tower protecting the entrance. The tower, in poor condition since the Revolution, and the house, deprived of roofing in the 20th century, bear witness to the vicissitudes of time. Today, there remains a remarkable vestige of this regional seigneurial heritage, combining residential and defensive functions.

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