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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Madirac is a gasconnaissance gentilhommière erected in 1582 in La Romieu, Gers. This monument, which has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1964, is distinguished by its architectural style typical of the region, combining elegance and carved decoration. Its plan juxtaposes two building bodies at right angles, embellished with cylindrical turrets and a monumental entrance decorated with torso columns.

The castle was commissioned by Bertrand du Bousquet, president of the Condom court, and designed by François Georget, sculptor and surveyor. The latter displayed remarkable know-how, visible in details such as the sill windows, the arches in the middle of the hanger, and the carved motifs of the turrets. The building thus reflects the social status of its sponsor, while embodying the art of living of the Gascon nobility at the end of the sixteenth century.

The architecture of the castle combines functionality and aesthetics, with a single raised floor, accessible by a porch. The front door, framed by carved male and female characters, opens under a triangular pediment decorated with a shell, a symbol common in Renaissance art. Close by, a low arched cochère door and sled windows complete this harmonious ensemble, witness to Italian influence in the South-West.

Ranked for its heritage interest, Madirac Castle also illustrates the cultural exchanges of the time. Its exuberant decoration, rare for a gentleman, suggests a desire for social affirmation. The corbelled turrets, although partially altered, recall the architectural innovations of the Renaissance, adapted to local traditions.

Today, the castle remains a preserved example of the civil architecture of the late 16th century. Its inscription in 1964 preserved its most remarkable elements, such as the carved door and the sled windows, offering a tangible testimony of this pivotal period between the Middle Ages and modern times.

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