Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Cassaigne, located in the department of Gers in Occitanie, finds its origins in the thirteenth century with its construction initiated by the Abbé de Condom, Montassieu de Galard. It then served as a fortress in the French defence line against the English territories, alongside the castles of Mansencôme and Lagardère. This first medieval building, erected in 1247, marked a strategic position in Gascogne, a region then disputed during the Hundred Years War.

In the 16th century, the castle was profoundly redesigned under the impetus of Blaise de Monluc, famous captain gascon and author of the Comments, considered by Henri IV "the best military work ever written". Monluc made defensive and residential improvements, transforming the site into a summer residence for the bishops of Condom. The cul-de-four vaulted kitchen, with its bread oven and three-level turnbuckle, as well as the cellars in the old weapons room, date from this period.

In the 18th century, Monsignor de Milon made major changes in the classical style, adding architectural elements such as the curvilinear front of the entrance façade and the flat pilasters surrounding the door. The castle, organized around a courtyard bordered by the church, nevertheless retains traces of its medieval past, especially in the north wing where the walls of the thirteenth century remain. The moat and the access bridge, still visible, recall its initial defensive role.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 1987, Cassaigne Castle now houses a 35 hectare wine estate dedicated to the production of Armagnac and Floc de Gascogne. It is distinguished by its wine museum and its historical cellars, making it the third most visited site of the Gers. His history is also marked by the presence of literary figures, such as the poet Jean Du Chemin, contemporary of Du Bellay and Ronsard, who lived there.

The site thus illustrates almost eight centuries of history, mixing military, religious and wine heritage. Its architecture, combining medieval, Renaissance and classical elements, reflects the strategic and cultural evolutions of Gascogne, between Franco-English conflicts and episcopal influence. The visit allows you to discover remarkable spaces, such as the 18th century dining room with its old fireplace, or the commons extended by three arcades in basket handle.

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