Château de Lauret, castle in Sainte-Gemme, Gers, France

Château de Lauret is a fortified building located in Sainte-Gemme, constructed in stone with a square brick tower attached to the main structure. The building features thick ground-floor walls, an underground cellar lit by small windows, deep storage silos, and adjacent outbuildings, reflecting a construction designed for durability and self-sufficiency.

The château de Lauret passed successively through the Lautrec, Percin and Castelbajac families, changing hands by marriage from the 14th century onward. It is still occupied by descendants of these families. The castle has been listed as a monument historique since 1993.

The castle's name comes from the Lauret family line, and it passed by marriage through the Lautrec, Percin and Castelbajac families from the 14th century onward. Claire de Castelbajac (1953-1975), a "servant of God" whose cause for sainthood has been introduced at the Vatican, is linked to the estate. Descendants of these families still occupy it.

Access is via small roads leading uphill from Sainte-Gemme to the site, which sits on slightly elevated terrain with uneven ground that requires care when walking. As it is a private property, visits must typically be arranged in advance through appointments or guided tours.

Underground silos still visible beneath the house demonstrate ancient food preservation techniques, allowing storage of grain and provisions at depths of several meters. These installations reveal how inhabitants ensured their food self-sufficiency over extended periods.