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Origin and history

The Château de Laàs, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, is a 17th century building built by the Lataulade family. It is distinguished by its rectangular plan, its three levels and a chapel integrated into a northern pavilion. The front door carries the weapons of this family. The estate includes an orangery, a French garden, fountains and a 12-hectare park bordering the Oloron gave. Since 1946, it has housed a collection of works attributed to Rubens, Brueghel, Vigée Le Brun or Fragonard, bequeathed by Louis and Madeleine Servat.

The seigneury of Laàs was attested as early as 1270, with a seigneurial residence mentioned in the thirteenth century. In 1538, the estate was occupied by the Perrarnaud family of Forpelad. In 1610, Henri IV erected Laàs as a baronie shortly before his assassination. The Lataulade family, originally from Chalosse, inherited it in 1633 and built the present castle. The estate remained in this line almost 175 years, before moving to the Gaztelu and Casenave families, then to the Countess of Caltavutoro in 1880.

Acquired by Charles Ferdinand Latrille, Count of Lorencez, in 1885, the castle was inhabited by his widow and son until 1921. In 1965, Madeleine Servat, widow without heir, transferred the estate to the Touring club of France. The State became the owner in 1980 and entrusted it to the department of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Since 2017, a private company has been exploiting a fun course, "the castle of puzzles", energizing its attendance.

The castle illustrates the evolution of a medieval seigneury into a modern aristocratic domain, marked by architectural transformations and changes of owners. Its park, artistic collections and contemporary activities make it a major cultural and tourist site in New Aquitaine. The current management combines heritage preservation and innovation, with facilities such as bamboo groves or cabins for unusual stays.

Historical sources mention writings from 1270, but it was in the 17th century that the castle took its present form, reflecting the influence of the local noble families. The collections of paintings, although partly attributed to renowned masters, underline its role as a place of artistic conservation. Today, the castle combines historical memory and tourist attraction, thanks to initiatives such as escape games or thematic routes.

The book by Jacques Staes (1986) and that by Martine Chénials (2017) deepen its history, while the official site completes the information for visitors. The estate remains a testament to the architectural and cultural heritage of Béarn, between tradition and modernity.

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