Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Montréal, also known as the Château d'Orthe, is located in Peyrehorade in the Landes. It replaces a 13th century fortification destroyed around 1515, designed to control traffic on the Gaves combined. The present castle, built from 1520 for Pierre d'Aspremont by Lombard engineer Giovanni Ridolfo Mormorini, was interrupted by the latter's death before 1530, then taken over in 1570 for Adrien d'Aspremont. He served as a residence for the Viscounts of Orthe before being transformed into a military hospital, convent, college, and then town hall.

In the 18th century, the castle was renovated with pavilions, a court of honour, French and Italian gardens, and stables in the hemicycle. After the Revolution, the estate was fragmented: the stables became a post office and then a bus garage, while the house kept its 19th century layout. A fire in 1969 partially destroyed the interiors. Today, the partially restored castle houses the town hall of Peyrehorade.

The monument preserves 16th century remains, such as round towers and limestone houses, as well as 18th century elements (ferronries, interior decorations). Ranked at the Historical Monuments in 1947 and 2012, it reflects the architectural and functional evolution of a seigneurial building that became a public place. The excavations revealed traces of the primitive building and a 14th century fort (the Rocq), reinforcing its historical importance.

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