Castle of Roquetaillade

The castle of Roquetaillade is located at Mazères, in the Gironde. It consists of two strong castles, one dating from the 11th century and the other of the 14th century, being in the same enclosure. It was saved by Viollet the Duke at the 19th century, which also undertook there important work of decoration and creation of furniture. The castle and furniture were classified Historic buildings in 1840.

The castle of Roquetaillade has been in the same family for 700 years. It was opened with the public in 1956.

Origins

The site of Roquetaillade was always inhabited by the man since the Préhistoire. The presence of natural caves and a rock piton on which one could protect oneself was favorable to a " installation" human. Many the cut Flints, on the spot found, testifies to this presence.

But it is only in 778 that mention for the first time of a fortification with Roquetaillade is made. Indeed Charlemagne, on the way towards the the Pyrenees with its nephew Roland, gathered his army with Roquetaillade and built a first mound strengthened out of wood: the first castle of Roquetaillade. This construction evolved/moved in time; the technique of the stone replaced that of wood. The castle of Roquetaillade increases, including news towers, ramparts and other defensive constructions, reflecting the power of the lord. Last construction was the rise in turn-carries in 1305, only passage between the heart of the castle and the village, named Castelnau, which had been established around.

No information is available on the lords of Roquetaillade before the 11th century, where the name Mota (or Mothe) appears in the files. The only unquestionable thing, it is that since XIe century the castle of Roquetaillade remained in the same family and that until today.

The New Castle

In 1306, with the permission of the king Edouard Ier of England, the Cardinal of Mothe, nephew of the Pope Clement V, a second fortress with Roquetaillade builds: the Castle " Neuf" of Roquetaillade, of square plan with six turns and a central Keep. This revolutionary construction for the time combined the art of warfare, the need to deny oneself as well as research comfort. The castle of Roquetaillade, as well as the other Clémentins castles, are the first examples of palate castle-forts in France.

War One hundred Year old

This long war saved the castle of Roquetaillade completely. Indeed even if the Gascons were pro-English, because of the trade of the wine, they did not miss the occasion to change their jacket when they felt the wind to turn. That being said, the lords of Roquetaillade were at that time rather ecclesiastics, therefore above the fray of the " simple mortels".

Wars of religion

In the South the Gironde, there were only few exactions between the various parts. Seul Villandraut by the Protestants, but wasn't this was attacked the symbol of Papacy?

the French revolution

With the revolution, the troops of Bordeaux transfer in Roquetaillade to demolish it. The Marquis de Lansac accommodated them on the spot, doubled their balance and invited them to the cellar of the castle to taste its wine. They found it so much good that work was abandoned.

Even if Roquetaillade passed through the history, the building at the beginning of the 19th century were in a bad condition. Classified Historic building by Prosper Mérimée in 1840, the castle of Roquetaillade is one of the first medieval buildings to profit from a protection in South-west.

It is towards 1850 that Mauvezin decided to give in state the building. They called upon most famous French architect the, Viollet the Duke. This last, helped by one of its pupils, Duthoit, passed nearly 20 years on the restoration of the castle, but more especially the decoration of interior and furniture. The decoration of Roquetaillade which one sees today unique in France and is classified historic building.

The park of Roquetaillade includes/understands the vestiges of the medieval enclosure with the Barbacane, the brook of Pesquey and its banks, the country cottage 19th and the Pigeonnier of Crampet, which belongs to Ecomusée of Bazadaise.

Anecdotes

The castle of Roquetaillade was used as decoration with several films, of which Fantômas against Scotland Yard and the Pact of the wolves .

External bonds

Official site
Article and photographs on the castle of Roquetaillade
History of Roquetaillade

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