MAUVEZIN CASTLE
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Castle in Mauvezin, a medieval vestige with a dungeon with rolled pebbles from the Arros river and ramparts, houses an archaeological museum
The presence of the castle of Mauvezin probably goes back to the 11th century. It is mentioned for the first time in a peace treaty signed between Sanche de Labarthe and Beatrix de Bigorre. During its history, it has served several times as a token of goodwill and peace, passing from hand to hand, between yesterday's enemies. At the time of the 11th century, it was a wooden construction of which nothing remains, except for the motte castrale on which it was built. It was surrounded by courtyards protected by moats and palisades. One of them now houses the village cemetery. The castle occupied a strategic place on the borders of the territories of Comminges, Bigorre, Armagnac, Aure and Labarthe. It will take its current form of fortified tower surrounded by a high wall in the 13th and 14th centuries. The castle is offered to Gaston Fébus in 1379, and it is him who makes build the tower. In the 15th century, Jean de Foix deprived the castle of its defensive function and had it converted into a count's residence. He had his motto "j'ay belle dame" (I have a beautiful lady) affixed above the entrance door. After his death, the imposing building fell into oblivion. It was used as a prison during the Wars of Religion in the 16th century. During the Revolution, the castle was nationalized and the inhabitants used it as a quarry to build or repair their houses. The castle fell into ruin and oblivion until a major renovation campaign began in 1981 to restore its austere splendor.
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