Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Fals, located in the eponymous village of New Aquitaine, has its origins in the 13th century, although its oldest parts can go back to the 12th century. The medieval substructures, still visible in the basement of the right wing, bear witness to this ancient period. The site was for a long time linked to the family of Esparbes, which held its seigneury until the 18th century. Marital alliances, such as that of Jean de Comere with Domengue d'Esparbes in 1555, or the marriage of Béraud d'Esparbes with Françoise de Comere in 1553, consolidated this seigneurial rule. The family included notable figures, including Silvestre d'Esparbes de Lussan, Baron de Lamotte-Bardigues and councillor at the Toulouse Parliament in 1667.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the castle was acquired by Étienne de Bazon, who began its reconstruction after 1727, transforming the medieval building into a classical residence. The facades, roofs and interior decorations of the eighteenth century (living and dining room) were protected as historical monuments in 1953. The current architecture, marked by large windows and a monumental staircase with straight flights, reflects this renovation. A neo-Renaissance stained glass window, decorated with the Bazon coat of arms, recalls their heritage.

The castle retains medieval defensive elements, such as a "salle à tour" backed by a square tower, while its park extends to the west, overlooking the Gers valley. Still owned by the descendants of Stephen de Bazon, it remains closed to the public, with exceptions. Its history thus illustrates the transition between a medieval castle and a seigneurial home of the Enlightenment, anchored in the landscape of Lot-et-Garonne.

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