Château de Saint-Blancard, Medieval castle in Saint-Blancard, France.
Château de Saint-Blancard is a castle in Cap d'Astarac with medieval foundations dating to the 14th century and substantial 19th century renovations that introduced neo-Gothic interior design. The structure retains original towers and wall sections from the medieval period alongside modern additions from the renovation campaign.
Archaeological work in 1889 revealed that people had occupied this site continuously since ancient times. An agreement made in 1303 between local villagers and Pierre d'Orbessan formally initiated the castle's construction.
The removal of the west and south walls opened views toward the Pyrenees and connected the structure with its natural surroundings. This choice shaped how the building sits within the landscape and how people experience the setting today.
Since this is privately owned, visits are not open to the public without prior arrangement with the owners. Some areas remain restricted to protect and maintain the historical fabric of the building.
During World War II, this castle became a hiding place for Egyptian antiquities from the Louvre Museum, moved there by Jacques Jaujard and Christiane Desroches Noblecourt for protection. This unexpected chapter reveals how the site played a role in safeguarding European cultural treasures during wartime.
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