Château de Prat, Stone historical monument in Prat-Bonrepaux, France
Château de Prat is a castle in Prat-Bonrepaux built with two circular defensive enclosures and a square corner tower topped with machicolations. The building is reached through a series of stone terraces that step down toward the central courtyard.
The site belonged to the Counts of Comminges from 1273 onward, who established the Barony of Prat there. In the 16th century, Bishop Jean II de Mauléon transformed the medieval fortress into a Renaissance castle by enlarging its windows and softening its defensive appearance.
Two bedrooms with alcoves still display their 18th-century plaster decorations, while the chapel contains a stained glass window by Gesta. These rooms show how the nobility who lived here filled their domestic spaces.
Access is via a series of stone terraces built into the hillside that step downward toward the courtyard. Wear sturdy shoes as the stairs and uneven surfaces require careful footing.
The shift from fortress to residential palace is visible in the mismatched window sizes and placements where Renaissance openings were cut into medieval walls. These physical traces show how the building was adapted for comfort rather than defense.
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