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Origin and history

The Jurat house is a medieval building emblematic of the bastide d-Hastingues in the Landes department. Built between the 15th and 16th centuries, it is distinguished by its local limestone architecture, typical of the region, and its rectangular plan divided into two parts. The facades keep traces of arches walled on the ground floor, while the sill windows and stair turret reveal a progressive construction over this period. Located on the central square, opposite the Church of Saint-Sauveur, it embodied the municipal power of the time.

The house derives its name from the six jurats and the baili (or "bayle") that sat there, judges elected annually by the inhabitants. These municipal officers, characteristic of the Midi bastides, handled local affairs: tax collection, organization of chores, maintenance of the militia, and justice for crimes committed within the city. Their relative autonomy also enabled the exchange of money and the regulation of commercial activities, such as market tolls. In the 19th century, the building was converted into an inn, marking a radical change in its use.

Classified as historical monuments since 2010, the Jurat house illustrates the architectural and institutional heritage of the Gascon bastides. Its massive foothills, sled windows and stair turret testify to stylistic changes between the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. Limestone, a dominant material, reflects abundant local resources, while its position on the central square underlines its central role in the community life of Hastingues, from its foundation to its subsequent transformations.

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