Château de Bazens, château à Bazens (Lot-et-Garonne)
Château de Bazens is a castle in the small village of Bazens with roots spanning several centuries. Today you see a wing with six levels, a spiral staircase tower, and thick stone walls that hint at a once-larger structure that included a courtyard, outbuildings, and extensive gardens.
The castle was reshaped in the 16th century under French rule by Italian noble families, particularly Constanza Frégose, who made it a center of learning. After the Renaissance it gradually declined, faced partial demolition in the 18th century, and was registered as a historic monument in 1935.
The name Bazens reflects its medieval roots in this region. The castle served as a gathering place where people discussed literature, philosophy, and art, shaping the intellectual life of the area during the Renaissance.
The castle sits on a plateau with clear views over the surrounding countryside. You can explore it on foot or by bicycle, examining the old walls and structures from the outside as you walk around the grounds.
Writer Matteo Bandello lived here and wrote much of his famous work, including stories that inspired Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. This residence became an unusually productive place for a Renaissance Italian author.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
