Castle of Lacataye
★★★☆☆
The Castle of Lacataye, better known as Donjon Lacataye, is the very symbol of the town of Mont-de-Marsan in Landes. The 'Donjon' is the keep of a 14th-century castle which was built by order of Gaston Febus, the eleventh Count of Foix.
History
Lacataye consists of two joined Romanesque fortifications, that formed an observation point above the river Midou. The houses belonged to the Count of Foix's family, but they were gradually abandoned starting from the 15th century when the Counts moved to another location. Nevertheless, during the 16th century, the upper part of the keep was equipped with crenellations.
In the second part of the 19th century, the Donjon was used as a garrison; it housed troops until 1875 when the soldiers moved to the barracks in the town.
The castle had various uses until 1962 when the town's mayor inaugurated the first modern figurative sculpture museum in France. It is mainly dedicated to two local artists, Charles Despiau and Robert Wlerick.
Thanks to its height, the keep can also offer magnificent views of Mont-de-Marsan and its surroundings.
History
Lacataye consists of two joined Romanesque fortifications, that formed an observation point above the river Midou. The houses belonged to the Count of Foix's family, but they were gradually abandoned starting from the 15th century when the Counts moved to another location. Nevertheless, during the 16th century, the upper part of the keep was equipped with crenellations.
In the second part of the 19th century, the Donjon was used as a garrison; it housed troops until 1875 when the soldiers moved to the barracks in the town.
The castle had various uses until 1962 when the town's mayor inaugurated the first modern figurative sculpture museum in France. It is mainly dedicated to two local artists, Charles Despiau and Robert Wlerick.
Thanks to its height, the keep can also offer magnificent views of Mont-de-Marsan and its surroundings.