Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Ampelle, built in the second half of the 13th century in Pergain-Taillac (Gers), is a typical example of gascones castral architecture. Its rectangular structure (33 m x 15 m, 12 m high) is distinguished by a four-slope roof and a flat square tower at the northwest corner. An original defensive system remains on the south-east facade: stone slides designed to support grids reinforced by beams, all protected by archers. This unique device bears witness to medieval military ingenuity.

The southern part of the castle, added between the end of the 14th and the beginning of the 15th century, reinforces its defensive vocation with thick walls (up to 2.10 m) pierced by rare archeries. Around 1500, modifications (windows, additional chimneys) soften its austere appearance. Strategically positioned, the castle offered stunning views of the surrounding area, including the nearby castles of Escalup and Sainte-Mère, as well as the Pyrenees in the distance.

The monument was officially listed in 1987 by the General Inventory of Cultural Heritage. His history is documented in specialized works such as those by Jean-Henri Ducos (1974) and Paul Ruffié (2023), which highlight his role in the castral landscape of Lectourois. The castle illustrates the evolution of defensive and residential techniques between the Middle Central Ages and the Renaissance, while preserving unique traces of military systems that have now disappeared elsewhere.

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