JOURNEES EUROPEENNES DU PATRIMOINE – VISITE DU CHÂTEAU

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EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS – Tour of the castle

Guided tour of the site and the excavations being carried out at the castle, led by Thibaut Lasnier, archaeologist. Free tour – special opening of the site.

Izaut-de-l’Hôtel Castle is situated in the heart of the Central Pyrenees, in the Haute-Garonne department, in the Comminges region. It is likely that the lords of Izaut built their castle in the 12th century. Later, the Counts of Comminges elevated the site to the status of a chief town of the castellany, turning it into a powerful centre of power. In 2011, a major clearing of undergrowth brought the castle back to life. Since then, annual excavations have been carried out to gain a better understanding of the site’s history. Work to stabilise the remains is currently underway on the seigneurial part of the castle. The castle site, covering an area of approximately 4,800 m², is divided into two distinct, extensive areas: the seigneurial section, which includes a well-preserved two-storey tower overlooking the fortified area, and the lower enclosure, which is much more extensive and comprises an early village area. Beyond the ramparts, the medieval village then extends gently down the hillside.