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Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Marsac, located on a hill in the heart of the village, finds its origins in the Middle Ages. Its square tower, dated from the 12th and 13th centuries, is considered the oldest of Tarn-et-Garonne. At that time, the castle served as a siege to a seigneury owned by noble families, including the Montesquiou, English barons, attested as early as 1277. This strategic site, marked by thick walls and murderers, reflected a defensive vocation, typical of the feudal castles of the region.

In the 16th century, the castle underwent major changes in Renaissance style. Between 1557 and 1563, a staircase and windows were added, while a gallery was built on the old courtine. These transformations, comparable to those of the neighbouring castle of Gramont, soften its austere appearance. In 1563 stables and communes were erected to close a courtyard, but they would be demolished in the early 19th century, changing the perspective on the village. The 18th and 19th centuries saw other developments, such as the addition of a building body including an unfinished neo-Gothic chapel, or the piercing of windows to illuminate the interiors.

The castle changes hands several times among the local aristocracy. In 1641, Jean de Montesquiou became the only seigneur, before the estate passed in 1677 to Jean-Paul de Rochechouart, Marquis de Faudoas. In 1741, Melchior François de Reversat de Céles, adviser to the Parliament of Toulouse, inherited the castle by his wife, Marie Thérèse d'Auterive, daughter of the Count of Marsac. The latter, Étienne d'Auterive, was himself an adviser to Parliament. The castle, still privately owned, illustrates the evolution of noble lifestyles, moving from a medieval fortress to a comfortable residence, as evidenced by carved decorations, parquet floors and the Latin motto Cedat violentia patientiae ("may violence give way to non-violence"), painted on a fireplace.

In the 19th century, the Marsac land estate covered 425 hectares, including eleven farmhouses, vineyards, woods and mills. A will of 1862 details this agricultural organization, revealing the economic importance of the castle in the region. The lands, distributed between Marsac, Poupas and Gramont, included meadows, ploughable land and vineyards, operated by farmers. These elements underline the central role of the castle, not only as a symbol of seigneurial power, but also as a pivot of a diversified farm.

Ranked a historic monument for its facades and roofs, the castle of Marsac retains traces of its multiple transformations. The vaulted room on the ground floor, accessible by a hatch, recalls its medieval origin, while the 18th and 19th century layouts — living room, library, parquet floors — reflect a growing search for comfort. Despite its initial warrior vocation, the castle today embodies a hybrid architectural heritage, combining feudal austerity and Renaissance refinement, while remaining inaccessible to the public.

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