Church origins XIe siècle (≈ 1150)
Construction of the eastern parts of the nave.
XIIIe siècle
Partial reconstruction
Partial reconstruction XIIIe siècle (≈ 1350)
Development of the northern gate and leafed capitals.
XVIIe siècle
Major work
Major work XVIIe siècle (≈ 1750)
Elevation of the tower, northern chapel, sacristy.
1879–1880
Renovation project
Renovation project 1879–1880 (≈ 1880)
Monumental staircase and reconstructed south dropper wall.
31 décembre 2014
Registration MH
Registration MH 31 décembre 2014 (≈ 2014)
Protection of the entire Castet.
16 juin 2016
MH classification
MH classification 16 juin 2016 (≈ 2016)
West shift and classified houses.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The whole, as delimited on the plan annexed to the Order and consisting of the ground of the parcels of plate C 419 to 422, 430, of the church of Saint-Pierre in total (Box C 421), of the north building in total, known as the house of the Chasseurs, and of the house with its ramp of raw ground in total (Box C 420), as well as of the non-cadastral bridge between parcels C 1060 and 1062 to the west and C 420 and 419 to the east, as well as the part of the communal road known as the Village between parcels C 431, 418, 1065, 1061, 1062, 407 to the west and C 430, 420, 419 to the east: inscription by order of 31 December 2014 - In total, the west rampart in raw land and the home that is attached to it (cad. C 420) : classification by decree of 16 June 2016
Origin and history
The Castet complex, located in Sainte-Christie-d-Armagnac, is a major historical site combining castral, ecclesial and village elements. In the heart of this ensemble, the Saint Peter church consists of a nave and a north side, with a flat bedside flanked by a bell tower and a stair tower. The original stone masonry, visible in the bedside, as well as the superimposed levels of the tower (cut stone and brick) bear witness to successive construction phases since the Middle Ages. The northern gate, dated the 13th century, preserves leafed capitals, while the 19th century interiors partially mask the ancient structures.
The church of St Peter finds its origins in the 11th century, as evidenced by the eastern parts of the nave and bedside. In the 13th century, partial reconstruction was undertaken, including the development of the northern gate. Work continues around the 17th century with the elevation of the tower, the construction of a tower of stairs and a northern chapel, as well as the transformation of the old choir into a sacristy. In the 19th century, an ambitious project (1879–80) provided for the construction of a monumental staircase and porch, as well as the replacement of the ceiling with a dogive vault, but only the reconstruction of the southern drop-water wall was carried out in the 1880s.
The Castet illustrates a rare spatial and chronological juxtaposition, mixing raw earth, wood and stone. Ranked and listed as Historic Monuments between 2014 and 2016, the site also includes ramparts in raw land, a house, a bridge and a portion of a communal road, reflecting its heritage importance. The local archives (Sainte-Christie-d的Armagnac and Auch) document these transformations, highlighting its central role in the history of the village and the region.
The site is now owned by the municipality. Its state of conservation and its location, noted 8/10 for its accuracy, make it a valuable testimony of medieval and modern constructive techniques. The use of various materials (crude land, brick, stone) and the complexity of its architectural evolution make it a remarkable set, both historically and archeologically.
The legal protections cover the entire St. Peter's church, the northern building (known as the Chasseurs' house), the house with its rampart in raw ground, as well as a bridge and a portion of the communal road. These measures aim to preserve the integrity of a site that embodies almost a thousand years of history, from its castral origins to its recent developments, including its religious and village transformations.
Finally, the Castet is part of an Armenian landscape marked by feudal and agricultural history. The ramparts in raw land, typical of local constructions, recall vernacular techniques, while the tower and Romanesque capitals evoke regional influences. This monument, both a place of worship, defence and community life, offers a unique insight into the evolution of Gascon villages throughout the centuries.
