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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The house of the Sénéchal, located in Hastingues in the Landes, is an emblematic building of the late 15th or early 16th century. It stands out as the oldest house on the main street of the bastide, preserving all the architectural features of the English style. Its main opening, adorned with a bend moulding and surmounted by an angel wearing a badge, bears witness to its historical prestige. Two carved caps representing figures in dress frame this entrance, adding to its monumental character.

The house is also known as the "Governor's House" or "Laplante House", with reference to Ioan De La Plante, Royal Sergeant born in 1572, whose initials I.D.L.P. and date 1593 appear on the arch of the left door. This date, however, concerns only this opening, since the construction of the house was earlier. The De La Plante family, including a 17th-century knight, occupied the site until the end of the 19th century, as evidenced by archives mentioning their presence in 1889. The neighbouring house, known as Magendia, will later house the first Protestant temple of the bastide.

Classified as historical monuments by order of 23 June 1937, the house of the Sénéchal specifically protects its facade on street and fireplace on the first floor. Its condition has evolved over the centuries: a roof collapsed on its anterior part, and traces of recovery are visible on the exterior wall, revealing a structure originally conceived as a unique building despite its occupation of two floors. In 2002, one observation noted the renewal of its coating, highlighting efforts to preserve this remarkable architectural heritage.

The English style of the house, rare in the region, reflects the cultural exchanges and architectural influences of the time. Its location on the Grand Rue (today 35 Gate of the Bastide) makes it a privileged witness to the urban history of Hastingues, a bastide founded in the Middle Ages. The carved elements, such as the angel and the cap, as well as the engraved initials, offer valuable clues about its owners and their social status, linked to the function of senechal or local governor.

The house of the Sénéchal thus illustrates the evolution of the local elites, between military nobility (the knight De La Plante) and royal administration (Sergeant Ioan De La Plante). Its inscription in the title of historical monuments underlines its heritage importance, both for its architecture and for its role in the social and religious history of the bastide, marked by the proximity of the first Protestant temple.

Finally, the available sources, including the Merimée and Wikipedia bases, complement the knowledge of this monument, while leaving some shaded areas, such as the exact dating of its construction or the details of its daily life. The location, noted as "passable" (level 5/10) in the Merimée base, invites further research to refine the understanding of this jewel of the Dutch heritage.

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