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Origin and history

The Château de Lacassagne, located in Saint-Avit-Frandat in Gers, is a monument whose construction spanned from the 13th to the 19th century. It is distinguished by its composite architecture, combining a medieval tower-room, Renaissance and classical additions (round towers, Mansart roof), and a 19th century wing. The English park, created in the 17th century, completes the ensemble, classified as a historical monument in 1980 for its facades, roofs and the Hall of the Knights of Malta.

The main piece of the castle is the partial reproduction of the council hall of the great masters of the order of St John of Jerusalem, originally located in La Valette (Malta). Made between 1620 and 1640 by Jean-Bertrand de Luppé, knight of the Order and owner of the premises, this room houses fourteen canvases illustrating the Great See of Malta (1565) and a portrait of its sponsor. Although not identical to the original Maltese – damaged during World War II – it offers a unique testimony of this pictorial cycle, performed by Italian artists after the frescoes of Matteo Pérez d'Aleccio.

The name Lacassagne comes from the Cassanha gascon ("chênaie"), reflecting the local landscape. The castle, which has remained in the family of Luppé since 1582, illustrates the influence of the knights of Malta in Gascony. The Knights' Hall, with its carved woodwork, canvases and cartridges representing Malta, is a rare decorative ensemble in France. The commons and orangery, dated 1850, complete this domain whose history spans seven centuries.

The documentary value of Lacassagne lies in its partial reproduction of the cycle of d'Aleccio, differently preserved in Malta or in other copies (such as those of the Greenwich Museum). Differences with the original – such as adding a view of Valletta absent from Maltese frescoes – suggest a local adaptation of the models engraved by the artist in the 16th century. This castle thus bears witness to the cultural exchanges between Biscay, Malta and Italy in modern times.

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