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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Château de Montgeard, also called Hotel Durand, is a former mansion located in the heart of the village of Montgeard, in Haute-Garonne. Built between the 15th and 16th centuries by the Durand family, enriched by the pastel trade, it has been profoundly transformed over the centuries. Initially a simple medieval "house", it was enlarged and embellished to reflect the social ascension of the Durands, which became local lords in the mid-16th century. The castle preserves late Gothic elements, such as vaulted cellars and door windows, as well as Renaissance additions, including a defensive scald and carved decoration.

The Durand family, originally from Lauragais, has marked local history with its patronage and ambition. Bernard Durand, then his sons Jacques, Jean and Guillaume, played a key role in the construction of the village church and the acquisition of seigneurial rights in 1554. Guillaume Durand, the first lord of Montgeard, made the castle a symbol of his power, as evidenced by a Latin inscription dated 1555. The monument was partially destroyed in the 19th century, after its sale in 1842, losing nearly half of its original structure, including a stair tower and outbuildings.

Ranked as a Historic Monument in 1992 for its architecture and in 1995 for its interior decoration (including a 17th century mural inspired by Jacques Callot), the castle enjoyed various functions: presbytery, cafe, grocery store, before being restored since the 1970s. Its facades combine Gothic bays with Renaissance windows, while its interiors retain adorned fireplaces and beams ceilings. Despite the destruction, there remains a rare testimony of urban residences of the Gothic-Renaissance transition in Occitanie.

The castle is part of a historical context marked by the Wars of Religion, which led to the strengthening of its defences, such as the still visible staguette. The Durands, the great builders, also erected the castle of Fajac-la-Relenque and a dovecote, affirming their local domination. Their decline in the 19th century led to the dispersion of architectural elements, such as sill windows found in Nailloux. Today, the castle, partly reconstituted, offers an overview of the opulence of pastel merchants and their architectural heritage.

The building is distinguished by its medieval cellars, its muzzle windows decorated with "marmousets" (grotesque figures), and an orangery added in the eighteenth century. The classified room houses a monumental fresco depicting the Tentation of St.Antoine, copied from an engraving by Callot. The successive amendments, from the 15th century commercial arcades to the 18th century enlarged bays, reflect the evolution of lifestyles and defensive needs. The castle thus illustrates the adaptation of a noble residence to the hazards of history, between prestige, conflict and decline.

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