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Origin and history

Mauléon Castle, nicknamed the "old castle", is built on a hill overlooking the city of Mauléon-Licharre, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Originally, in the 11th century, it was a wooden castral mot, consisting of a tower, a bassyard and a palisade surrounded by a ditch. This strategic site marked the formation of Soule's Viscount, under Anglo-Aquitaine influence.

Between the 13th and 14th centuries, the castle was strengthened by order of the kings of England, including Henry III and Edward I, who imposed repairs and fortifications to make it a military stronghold. In 1261, a captain-châtelain was appointed to represent the royal authority. Work continued in 1319 and 1374, modernizing defences to withstand assaults.

The French reconquest began in 1449 when Gaston IV de Foix-Béarn s'empare de Mauléon, permanently linking Soule to France in 1472. The castle, described as " Guyenne's strongest castel" in the 15th century, however suffered damage during the Wars of Religion (XVI century) and was partially demolished in 1642 by order of Louis XIII. After a brief reconstruction in 1648, he was abandoned and then used as a prison during the Revolution.

In the 19th century, the castle lost its military function: in 1831, its restoration was refused despite the presence of a garrison, and in 1870 the city became its owner. Ranked a historical monument in 1925, it preserves medieval remains like a well of 29 meters, oblivions, and the ruins of the dungeon felled in the 18th century. Its pentagonal architecture, adapted to artillery, and its stone bridge with three arches testify to its defensive evolution.

The site, now invaded by vegetation on its ancient inhabited spaces, remains an emblematic example of a medieval castle transformed for modern war. It also served as the setting for the film Le Monde vivant d'Eugène Green, highlighting its cultural and historical appeal.

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