Ancien château des comtes d'Armagnac, Medieval castle in Lectoure, France.
The Ancien château des comtes d'Armagnac is a medieval fortress in Lectoure with surviving sections of its western wing and a square bastion. This fortification overlooks the Gers valley and remains integrated into the town's defensive walls.
The counts of Armagnac lived in this fortress until 1473, when King Louis XI captured the city during his military campaigns. The end of their rule marked a turning point in how the stronghold was used and governed.
The fortress became a manufacturing hospital in 1749, where workers produced textiles in the basement workshops. This repurposing shaped how people used and understood the building for generations.
The site now functions as an antiques market and is open daily for visitors to explore. Parking is available on-site, and the main pathways are level, making it accessible for most people.
A small cemetery belonging to the Ursuline nuns who managed the workers' hospital sits beside the bastion. This quiet space reflects the spiritual role these women had in running the establishment.
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