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Origin and history

Mongaston Castle, located in Charre, New Aquitaine, is a historical monument whose origins date back to at least the thirteenth century, as evidenced by its first mention in 1287. At that time, he controlled an essential ford for the passage between Béarn and Soule, stressing his strategic role in trade and regional defence. The lords of Mongaston, attested from the fourteenth century, made it a key point of their local power. The current building largely retains its original volume, although 16th century developments (windows, stair tower) have modernized its structure.

In the 17th century, new buildings were added, distinct from the old castle, marking an evolution of its use. A fire in 1929 ravaged much of the building, requiring restoration work started in 1971. The castle today consists of a body of rectangular houses flanked by a hexagonal turret and a scauguette, surrounded by a camp cut off (bass-yard, ditches) inseparable from its military history. The remains, including walls and outbuildings, have been protected since 1998 by an inscription in the Historical Monuments.

The site illustrates a progressive architectural adaptation, mixing medieval elements (XIIIe–XIVe) and reborn (XVIe). Its initial defensive role, linked to the control of passageways, is doubled by a seigneurial dimension, reflected in subsequent developments. The low yard and ditches recall the importance of fortification systems in this border region, where conflicts for territorial control were frequent.

Today, Mongaston Castle remains a testament to the political and architectural transformations of the region, from the Middle Ages to the modern era. Its inscription in 1998 covers all the remains, including the soil and traces of ancient developments, highlighting the desire to preserve this complex heritage. Although partially destroyed, the site offers a stratified reading of local history, from medieval seigneuries to contemporary restorations.

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