Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Hamel, located in the commune of Castets and Castillon en Gironde, has its origins in the early 14th century. It was built in 1313-1314 by Raymond Guilhem de Goth, nephew of Pope Clement V, after obtaining the permission of King Edward II of England. This first building, a medieval fortress, was the scene of Franco-English conflicts: taken by the French in 1327 under the orders of the Duke of Anjou and Duguesclin, then taken over by the English in 1442. These events reflect the continuing tensions of the Hundred Years' War in the region.

In the 16th century, the castle changed hands and functions under John of Fabas, Protestant lord who strengthened him during the Wars of Religion. Initially Catholic, Fabas converted to Protestantism and used the castle as a base for his raids around Bordeaux until the peace of Fleix (1581). The site became a strategic issue: besieged by the Marshal of Goyon-Matignon, he was finally rescued by Henri de Navarre (future Henri IV), before being shaved and then given to the Duke of Mayenne. These episodes illustrate his key role in the religious conflicts of the time.

The present building was entirely rebuilt in 1697, preserving from the fourteenth century only the heptagonal base of the dungeon, visible in a vaulted hall of warheads. The architecture of the 17th century presents a U-shaped plan with a central house body flanked by two low wings, the whole girded with roofed turrets in blackout. The entrance porch, integrated with the old stables, and the south door with a cut pediment testify to this period of reconstruction. In 1963, the castle was listed as a historical monument, combining medieval remains with a classical structure, reflecting its evolution throughout the centuries.

The protected elements include facades and roofs, while the Merimée base precisely locates the site at Castets-en-Dorthe (Insee code 33106). The geographical accuracy, noted 7/10, confirms its anchoring in the girondin landscape, between Bordeaux and the Garonne valley. The sources available (Wikipedia, Monumentum) underline its heritage importance, both for its turbulent history and for its hybrid architecture.

External links