Château de Lagardère, Medieval castle in Lagardère, France.
Château de Lagardère is a medieval castle built on elevated ground with a trapezoidal footprint and varying wall widths. The structure features a ground-floor entrance on the western side and connected underground spaces equipped with arrow slits that provide both light and air circulation.
The castle was founded after 1270 when Count Géraud V of Armagnac granted the Abbot of Condom permission to build fortifications at this site. This early founding marks the beginning of the fortress's long presence in the region.
The walls display two distinct types of arrow slits from different periods, revealing how building techniques changed over generations. These details show the craftsmanship and practical improvements that medieval builders made as they learned new methods.
Access is gained through the western entrance, from where visitors can explore the interior spaces. The underground areas are included in a tour and offer interesting details about medieval construction methods.
The fortress deliberately lacks traditional round towers and a central keep, which shows it was designed as a fortified residence rather than a purely military stronghold. This unusual design reveals that the comfort of residents was just as important as military defense.
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