Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Latoue, also called the castle of Latour, finds its origins in the 12th century with the arrival of Gaucerannus de Turre, sent by Count Bernard I of Comminges to administer the estate. Around 1140, a first square tower, 5 m wide, 15 m high, is erected on a limestone outcrop, surrounded by an elliptical white stone enclosure. The Romanesque door suspended at 6 meters, accessible by a staggering ladder, and a castral chapel dedicated to Saint-Sernin, future parish church, complete this primitive defensive ensemble. Materials, such as red stones, come from local quarries, including the Goute.

At the beginning of the 13th century, the castle was enlarged: the original tower became a common space, while a new dungeon of 10.50 m x 9.50 m, with thick walls of 2.30 m, was built. This dungeon includes a cot vaulted bass room, a half-timbered residential floor, and a sleep watch. An enveloping shirt strengthens the defenses, and a round tower, called "city tower", controls the west access. A gate tower with toll, decorated with the arms of the Counts of Comminges, is built on the Noue. In 1304, the castrum of Turre was mentioned in an act, but it was ravaged around 1440 during a conflict between Armagnacs and Foix-Bearn, which remained uninhabited for a century.

In the 16th century, under Francis I, a fortified hexagonal tower was joined to the dungeon, introducing a stone screw staircase that replaced the wooden ladders. A Renaissance corner tube, attributable to the Toulouse architect Dominique Bachelier, is added, combining aesthetics and safety with an integrated assommoir. Latrines and accesses are modernized, while the upper floors become more accessible. This redesign marks the transition to a more comfortable residence, while maintaining its defensive character.

In the 18th century, the medieval dungeon was partially abrased to build a new home on two levels. The dungeon's lower room is transformed into a kitchen, with an added fireplace and pierced openings. The terrain is flattened in the east, and a perron serves the entrance. In the 19th century, Atlas cedars and a magnolia were planted, while the ramparts were partially demolished. In 1971-1972, concrete foothills secured the south facade threatened with ruin. The castle is listed in the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments in 1979 and today hosts cultural events.

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