Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Marsan, located in Gers, finds its origins in the 12th century with the construction of a fortress by the Montesquiou family. In 1170, Count Bernard d'Armagnac, in conflict with the Archbishop of Auch, razed the castrum of Marsano. The fortress was rebuilt thanks to the chapter of St. Mary of Auch, but underwent modifications after the wars of Religion. The remains of this era serve as foundations for the present castle.

In 1750, a new castle was erected on the same site, with major changes. The southwest square tower was completed in 1833, and the cover was finalized. The monument, owned by Montesquiou since the 12th century, passed in 1906 to the Montesquiou branch of Artagnan. Today, there remains the residence of Aimery de Montesquiou-Fezensac, descendant of the family.

Ranked a historic monument in 1991, the castle consists of two perpendicular wings framed by a courtyard of honour, bordered to the north by communes and an old castral chapel turned parish church. The ground floor houses room space, while the floor retains tapestries and gypsum sets. Until 1770, the Toulouse-Auch Royal Road crossed this courtyard.

The Montesquiou family, divided into two branches since the 15th century, marked the history of the place. The last Duke of Montesquiou-Fezensac (deceased in 1913) bequeathed the castle to the branch of Artagnan, perpetuating a line linked to the site for nearly nine centuries. The title of Duke of Montesquiou-Fezensac, carried by the current owner, is however considered irregular.

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