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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Château de La Garde-Guérin is an emblematic medieval building located in the department of Lozère, in Prévanches. Its oldest element is a square tower of 21.50 meters high, dated the 12th century, which served as a dungeon to the original castrum. This tower, composed of five levels, is distinguished by an apparatus with unique bossing in the region, bearing witness to construction techniques characteristic of medieval times.

At the foot of the tower remain the ruins of a seigneurial house, built long after the dungeon, probably in the sixteenth century. This building, which belonged to the noble consuls of La Garde-Guérin, is not mentioned in the vidimus of 1364, which confirms its post-medieval origin. It was destroyed by fire in 1722, leaving only visible remains today. These architectural traces illustrate the evolution of the site from a defensive fortress to a seigneurial residence.

The castle has been classified as historic monuments since 1929, recognizing its heritage value. Its location in the commune of Prévanches, Occitanie, makes it a witness to feudal history and the social organization of the Lozère. The site, although partially in ruins, offers an overview of the architectural transformations and successive uses of a strong castle throughout the centuries.

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