Château de Duras
Place du château, 47120 Duras
- Lot-et-Garonne
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Dominating the valley of Dropt, the Castle of Duras is a place steeped in history. From the castrum of the XIIth century in the pleasure house of the XVIIIth century, be allowed take by the architecture of places and by the animated history(story) of the Lords de Duras. The first castle was built in 1137 on a rocky spur by Guillaume Amanieu viscount of Besaume, of Benauges and of Gabardan. At the beginning of the XIVth fellow(sly customer) de Goth inherit of Lasted, brother of the first French, merciful V pope, he benefits then from some pontifical money(silver) to transform his castle into an impregnable fortress. By a marriage with Arnaud de Durfort, Marquèse de Goth brings as a dowry the seigniory of Duras and this is the way(that's how) the family of Durfort becomes Durfort-Duras and possèdera the Castle until 1819\. Located in a strategical territorial area during the Hundred Years' War Durfort knew how to get out while the going is good to the liking of alliances(wedding rings) and of financial benefits, this afternoon(sometimes) with France this afternoon(sometimes) with England. The end of war in Castillon the Battle would have been able to inaugurate a peace area, that's not the case! Durfort in the XVIth century joins the Protestant party opposing so the king of France who will not leave this infamy to pass: Blaise de Montluc besieges the Castle in 1562\. The proven family decides then to return into the row(rank) and in compensation obtains count's title, this is the way(that's how) history(story) is made in Lasted. Their ascent will not stop there: count then marquess and finally by favour of Louis XIV, in 1689, duke and peer of France. After centuries of conflicts and wars on its lands the Castle, from XVIITH - XVIIITH knows profound architectural upheavals, it becomes so a splendid aristocratic villa decorated with gardens: gardens of enjoyment(approval) and garden of utility. Partly destroyed in French Revolution and used(worn out) by time(weather), the Castle is finally acquired(finally bought back) by the inhabitants of the municipality at the end of 1960s during an auction. After forty years of restoration(catering) it is an inescapable(major) during your passage in the region.
Tags
Château, hôtel urbain, palais, manoir, Espace naturel, parc, jardin i Monument historique
©Geoff Livingston
