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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Sibra Castle, located in Lagarde (Ariège), has its origins in a seigneurial property linked to Camon Abbey. In the 16th century, Louis de George, annoyed in Saint George, became its owner. The seigneury then passed to the religious of Camon in 1706, before being redeemed by the De Saint-Georges family until 1811, when it was acquired by the Espert family, of which Pierre Espert, general of the Empire and Viscount, marked the history of the estate.

In 1878 Joseph Paul François Villary dit de Fajac bought the castle at auction and undertook major renovations under the direction of the Toulouse architect Louis Mortreuil. The eclectic style adopted combines neo-medieval elements (crenelage, mâchicoulis) and neo-renaissance (openings, interior decorations). The terracotta ornaments, signed by the Virebent factory, and the stained glass windows of Saint-Blancat enrich the building, while a landscaped park of 15 hectares, decorated with rare factories and essences, was built in 1883.

The castle, registered as a historical monument in 2004 with its park and its annexes, illustrates the aristocratic architecture of the late 19th century. In 2017, Swiss architect Sybille Thomke became its owner and installed guest rooms and a restaurant, while preserving its historical heritage. The outbuildings, such as the House of Boulanger (former tower of enclosure) or the apiary-church, testify to the domestic and agricultural organization of the estate.

The building, rectangular, is flanked by a variety of corner towers (pepper, urban belfry) and adorned with neo-renaissance interior decorations (woodworks, ceramic fireplaces, tapestries). The park, designed in English, descends to a pond and incorporates picturesque elements such as an artificial cave, an obelisk and a hunting relay. Local materials (limestone, coated) are associated with technical innovations, such as a concrete reservoir in the northwest tower.

Historically, the estate was dedicated to agriculture (wheat, barley, oats, vines 15% in the 18th century) and seigneurial justice, exercised by the De Saint-Georges on the surrounding hamlets. The archives mention in 1712 a castle "with four towers with all lordial marks", surrounded by walls and including a chapel. The 19th century transformations, financed up to 66,000 francs, partially erased these medieval traces to adopt a troubadour style, characteristic of the aristocratic residences of the time.

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