Name -
Chateau de Saint-Marcet
Location -
Saint-Marcet
Department -
Haute-Garonne 31
State -
Chateau Ruin
The
Chateau de Saint-Marcet with its triangular tower (very rare: there are only 5 triangular towers in France) was rebuilt in about 1260 on the initiative of Alphonse de Poitiers, Count of Toulouse and Saint Louises brother to impede English progress.
The 'very powerful Chateau de Saint-Marcet' (as it is called in historic written works) only played this dissuasive part for a little time and was replaced by Aurignac as soon as the end of the 14th century at the head of the lordship.
It is mentioned in History but for being the 'forced home' of Marguerite, last countess of Comminges, confined by her third husband, in the 17th century.
Already in a state of ruin in the 16th century, it will be systematically wrecked in order to extract building stone.
Despite everything, two ruined keeps still remain today: one square, the other one triangular, linked by a rampart-wall pierced with two doors and lined with dry moats to the south. The presence of a guardroom can also be noted at the bottom of the square keep and a fortified chapel partly fallen down.
The antiquity of the site is noteworthy, the large 13th century castle having replaced a small castle belonging to the Counts of Comminges which existed on this spot as early as the 11th century, built on the location of a former roman castrum also built on the site of a former oppidum.
The ruins of the fortified castle of Saint-Marcet are private property. Pedestrian access is allowed, but the site being unsecured, the visit is placed at the visitors full responsibility.
So far, because of the work in progress and because it would be dangerous to receive many visitors, no article has been allowed in newspapers. with only afew references on the internet.
