Château de Béthune

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

History

The keep was built for Gilon de Sully in the second half of the 11th century. The gatehouse, the chapel and the east main dwelling were built around 1470 for Marie d'Albret. The west gallery was built between 1528 and 1545 for Marie d'Albret, the second of that name. The terrace was laid out around 1607 for Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully. The initials of Marie d'Albret are borne on the ceiling of the chapel. The castle presents itself as a former fortress whose plan of the three wings that compose it is in the shape of a trapezium with each angle occupied by a tower. The keep is located at the south-east angle, a square tower of six storeys. This body of building is the oldest part of the castle and could date back to the end of the 11th century. A staircase turret, no doubt added at the end of the 15th century, serves this keep. The north wing, with its postern, presents two towers with arrow slits. The east wing, main dwelling, was rebuilt in the Renaissance. To the south, buildings and curtains were demolished. To the west, of the Renaissance gallery which was leaning against the curtain, only two arches remain supported by three pillars whose shaft is decorated with foliage in low relief and the capitals with scrollwork.