Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Bazens, located near the church of the same village in Lot-et-Garonne, has its origins in the Middle Ages. As early as the 13th century, local lords were mentioned, but the seigneury was quickly linked to the bishops of Agen, who made it their summer residence. The major reconstruction of the castle took place at the end of the 15th century under the impetus of the bishops Leonardo Grosso della Rovere (1487-1519) and Marc-Antoine de La Rovere (1519-1538), with the addition of a stair tower in 1494. The architect Villars, originally from Limoges, is said to have directed this work, transforming the site into a Renaissance home.

In the 16th century, the castle became the home of prominent figures such as Costanza Rangoni, widow of Ambassador Cesare Fregoso, murdered in 1541. Cardinal Jean de Lorraine then yielded the usufruct of the castle to Costanza. Matteo Bandello, Italian bishop and writer, lives there from 1550 and writes a large part of his News. He died there in 1561, after yielding his bishopric to Janus Frigose, the son of Cesare, while continuing to occupy the place. The castle, gradually abandoned to the benefit of the castle of Monbran, was partially demolished in 1726 by order of Bishop Hébert, leaving only the north wing and its stairway tower.

The building, classified as a historical monument in 1935, illustrates the Italian influence in the South-West of France during the Renaissance. Its architecture blends defensive elements (sailew added during the Wars of Religion) and residential elements, as evidenced by successive transformations. The hexagonal tower and the remains of the chapel recall its episcopal residence status. The 19th century works, including the restoration of the bell tower in 1888, preserved part of this heritage, now owned by the municipality of Bazens.

The site is inextricably linked to the nearby church, which was redesigned in the 15th to 16th centuries, with a flamboyant portal decorated with an episcopal lacrosse. The original gardens, established on terraces, have disappeared for the benefit of the present village. Historical sources, such as Bandello's writings, offer a rare testimony about life in this residence and its role in Franco-Italian cultural exchanges.

The last mention of maintenance dates from the 18th century, with repairs in 1778, before its definitive abandonment. The staircase turret, restored in the 20th century, remains one of the most emblematic elements of the castle. Its inscription in the historical monuments in 1935 saved what remained of the ancient residence of the bishops, now open to the visit within the framework of the local heritage.

External links