The Landes department is home to a remarkable historical heritage. Among them, the castles! From medieval fortresses to Renaissance manors, including country houses and fortified homes, here is a small selection of castles to discover during your stay in the Landes region.
The Château de Gaujacq
In the heart of Chalosse, discover an elegant 17th-century stately home and journey to Renaissance Italy! Built in 1686 according to the plans of Jules Hardouin-Mansart (the architect of Versailles), the entirely single-story château opens onto an inner garden surrounded by an Italian-style gallery, reminiscent of Florentine palaces. Inside, you'll find a series of apartments decorated with 18th-century woodwork and paintings, fully preserved furniture, and a collection of period objects. Château de Gaujacq is also known for its horticultural greenhouses. Open from April to September, with candlelit night tours every Monday in July and August. + info
The Château d'Amou
A fine example of 17th-century classical architecture, also attributed to Mansart, Château d'Amou was built in 1692 for Léonard de Caupenne, governor of Bayonne and Marquis of Amou. The château has preserved its original interior decor, its former agricultural outbuildings, and its 19th-century chapel. In the vestibule, visitors are greeted by a beautiful 4th-century Gallo-Roman mosaic from the villa of Gleyzia d'Augreilh. Open for groups by appointment from May 1 to October 31. + info
The Château de Ravignan
In Perquie, a small village on the borders of the Landes and Gers, the Château de Ravignan has been inhabited by the same family since 1732. Everything is there to immerse visitors in the atmosphere of the Age of Enlightenment or the Empire: sumptuous apartments decorated with period paintings and objects, a collection of 500 engravings glorifying Henry IV, a delightful French-style garden... After visiting the castle, visitors can discover the cellars and Armagnac production. Guided tours of the castle from June to September. + info
The Château de Caumale
In the heart of the Landes d'Armagnac, in Escalans, discover an imposing Gascon castle from the Middle Ages. It has a colonial history, from Saint-Domingue to Cuba, passing through Louisiana. A significant site of Gascon and Creole history, the castle houses collections of 18th-century porcelain and chocolate pots, family paintings, and souvenirs from long journeys. Highlights include: Marshal de Rochambeau's bedroom, hero of American independence; the Gallo-Roman columns decorating the large cellar. Guided tours from July to September by appointment. + info
If you can't visit them, you can admire their facade...
Some castles in the Landes are not open to the public, except on rare occasions, such as the European Heritage Days. However, you can admire them from the outside. Here are a few that are each worth a detour.
The Château Woolsack
Built in 1911 on the shores of Lake Aureilhan, in Mimizan, the Château Woolsack is the former property of the Duke of Westminster. More of a country house than a castle, it nevertheless saw many interwar celebrities pass through its doors: Coco Chanel, Dali, Charlie Chaplin, Salvador Dalí, and even Winston Churchill, who indulged in painting there. The castle is visible from the flower-lined promenade of Mimizan.
The Château de Castillon
Located in Arengosse, near Mont-de-Marsan, the Château de Castillon is often cited as one of the most beautiful castles in the Landes. Built in 1625 in the Louis XIII style, it is said to have inspired Théophile Gautier for his novel Le Capitaine Fracasse. The castle is not open to visitors, but the association "les Amis du Brassenx" organizes several guided and storytelling tours of the estate throughout the year.
The Château de Poyanne
Hidden between Dax and Saint-Sever, it is not the most famous of the Landes castles. And that's surely why the Belgian crown jewels were hidden there during World War II! Today, owned by the Departmental Council of the Landes, the castle is not open to visitors, but you can still pass by its trompe-l'œil facade and its 30-meter-high lantern dome.
