Construction of the castle XVIIe siècle - première moitié du XVIIIe siècle (≈ 1825)
Period of initial construction of the monument.
13 avril 1988
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 13 avril 1988 (≈ 1988)
Protection of facades, roofs and chapel.
31 octobre 1991
Ranking of pigeon tree
Ranking of pigeon tree 31 octobre 1991 (≈ 1991)
Specific protection of the hexagonal pigeon.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Façades and roofs of the three buildings delimiting the courtyard of honour, including the chapel (in whole); closure and its portal (Case C 96): registration by order of 13 April 1988; Pigeonnier (Case C 85): classification by order of 31 October 1991
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character mentioned
Sources insufficient to identify historical actors.
Origin and history
Marignan Castle, located in the municipality of Bars in Occitanie, is a building built between the seventeenth century and the first half of the eighteenth century. It is distinguished by its typical architecture of this period, including its hexagonal dovecote, a rare and well preserved element. This dovecote, accessible by a stone screw staircase, rests on a round central core supporting the beams of the floor. It has no bolts, a notable feature, and is protected by two eviscerated cornices designed to prevent the intrusion of pests. The roof is surmounted by a square-based pyramidal lantern, adding to its unique architectural character.
The castle also includes a court of honour, delimited by three buildings, including a chapel, all listed in the Historical Monuments since 1988. The pigeonmaker, for his part, was classified by order of 31 October 1991, stressing its heritage importance. These elements reflect the social and economic status of the owners of the era, where the pigeons were symbols of prestige and seigneurial power.
The location of the castle in Gers, a region marked by a strong presence of agricultural estates and noble residences, suggests its role in the rural and social organisation of the region. The facades, roofs, fences and gates, protected since 1988, demonstrate the importance attached to the preservation of this architectural and historical heritage.
Available sources, including Monumentum and Merimée data, confirm the castle's address at Bars (Insee 32030) and its approximate location via GPS coordinates. This administrative and geographical information complements the understanding of its territorial anchor and current accessibility.
Although the information on the visits or services offered (room rental, guest rooms) is not specified in the sources, the status of Historic Monument of Marignan Castle makes it a site potentially open to cultural or tourist uses, subject to confirmation from current managers.
Finally, the absence of references to historical characters or specific events related to the castle in the available sources limits the knowledge of its history to its architectural characteristics and legal protections. These elements, however, suffice to make this a valuable testimony of the rural and seigneurial heritage of Occitanie.
