Construction of dungeon fin XIIIe - début XIVe siècle (≈ 1425)
Rectangular Donjon and original enclosure built.
XVIe siècle
Major transformation
Major transformation XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
North house body and corner towers added.
fin XVIe - début XVIIe siècle
Stairway layout
Stairway layout fin XVIe - début XVIIe siècle (≈ 1725)
Staircase of the redeveloped dungeon.
1941-1942
Internment of Jews
Internment of Jews 1941-1942 (≈ 1942)
308th GPTE installed at the castle.
23 août 1942
Deportation to Auschwitz
Deportation to Auschwitz 23 août 1942 (≈ 1942)
85 jewish detainees deported.
9 février 2009
Registration historical monument
Registration historical monument 9 février 2009 (≈ 2009)
Official protection of the castle.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The castle with its enclosure, its ditch and the bridge that spans the latter, in full (cf. D 461): registration by order of 9 February 2009
Key figures
Famille Cieutat - Retractors of the castle
After the war, Tombebouc returned.
Fumel-Montaigu - Subsequent owners
Succession to the Ceutat at the castle.
Origin and history
Tombebouc Castle, located on a rocky spur overlooking the valley of the Autonne in Gos-et-Cazeneuve, is a medieval building dating back to the late 13th or early 14th century. Its rectangular dungeon, surrounded by a enclosure and a ditch, bears witness to its initial defensive role. At that time, the castle was linked to the Barony of Pujols, and its architecture reflected the strategic needs of a region marked by conflict, including the Hundred Years War. At the end of the war, the site reportedly housed a band of robbers whose abuses reached Agen, before being taken over by the Ciutat family.
From the 16th century, the castle underwent major architectural transformations. A body of north houses, with a large room, was built, while four corner towers with cannon guns strengthened its outer enclosure. These adjustments reflect the evolution of military techniques and the growing need for comfort for its occupants. The staircase of the dungeon, on the other hand, was built at the end of the 16th or early 17th century. The castle changed hands several times, passing in particular to the Fumel-Montaigu after its takeover by the Ciutat.
In the 19th century, the castle was partially transformed for agricultural purposes, especially after the phylloxera crisis that struck the region. stables were rebuilt, a bridge was built to cross the ditch, and a large suspended barn-house was added. These changes illustrate the site's adaptation to new economic functions, far from its initial military role.
During the Second World War, Tombebouc Castle was requisitioned by the Vichy regime as an internment centre. In 1941-1942, it housed the 308th PTTE (Palestine Group of Foreign Workers), composed mainly of foreign Jews, called "Palestinians" by the administration. These 85 detainees were deported to Auschwitz via Drancy on 23 August 1942, after a group ordered by the Prefect of Lot-et-Garonne. This dark episode deeply marks the history of the place.
The castle was listed as a historic monument on February 9, 2009, recognizing its heritage and memorial value. Today, there remains an architectural testimony of the military, social and tragic developments that marked the southwest of France, from the Middle Ages to the Second World War.
