Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Miramont Castle, located in Adast in the Hautes-Pyrénées, is built between the end of the seventeenth century and the beginning of the eighteenth century for Gabrielle Caubotte de Miramont, mother of the poet Cyprien Despourrins. It replaces an ancient fortress of the 10th century, founded by Mansion Loup, the first Viscount of Lavedan, and remodeled several times. The estate passes successively to the families of Bigorre-Mâtas, Miramont, then Despourrins until the mid-19th century.

Gabrielle Caubotte de Miramont, the last heir of the lineage, had the present building erected. His son, Cyprien Despourrins, lived there from 1729 until his death in 1759. The castle then changed hands by alliances, passing to the Abadie-Gaye family until 1906, when it was sold to surgeon François Calot, who ended his life there in 1944.

In the 20th century, the estate was acquired by the daughters of Dr. Calot, then by journalist Jacques Chancel (born Joseph Crampes) in the 1960s. The latter, originally from Ayzac-Ost, received personalities such as Nicolas Sarkozy and François Bayrou. When he died in 2014, he was buried in the crypt of the castle chapel. Today, privately owned by the Crampes family, the castle opens to the public during European Heritage Days.

The castle architecture is distinguished by an elevated central forebody, flanked by two symmetrical wings and independent roofed pavilions. The building has four levels, one of which is attic, and combines classical elegance and medieval heritage.

The site embodies almost a thousand years of history, from its foundation as a fortress to its transformation into an aristocratic residence, then as a resort for cultural and political figures. Its state of conservation and current use make it a living witness to the Occitan heritage.

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