Clan Rising
Château Lagorce today

France · Restored

Château Lagorce

Château Lagorce is a former medieval castle converted into a château in Haux, Gironde, France. It retains a fortified tower and surrounding stone walls and has been restored and adapted as a residence and event venue in recent years.

Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1636

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1636

What Château Lagorce looked like in its prime.

Set on a low terrace above a reflective pond, the château presents pale, coursed limestone curtain walls and a raised stone terrace with external steps. A round defensive tower with thick walls and a tall conical roof projects behind the curtain wall; the main residential block is two storeys of stone with warm clay-tile roofs and simple rectangular windows. Mature trees punctuate the terrace and garden; a small pavilion gazes over the water and planted vine slopes back the estate.

Its story

The story of Château Lagorce.

Lagorce, in the commune of Haux in the Gironde, is a former medieval castle converted into a château, retaining a fortified tower and its surrounding stone walls. In 1636 it was owned by Menaud de Montaudon, married to Marguerite de Cursol, a union preserved in a keystone carved as a coat of arms uniting the Montaudon and Cursol families.

After the Revolution, in 1793, François Galatheau sold Lagorce to Hyacinthe Feger, whose nephew Pierre resold it in 1802, "in a very bad state", to Elie Faux, a local wine producer whose family undertook major excavation works and planted Barsac and Sauternes vines. In 1859 the property was sold to Jules Beyssac, passed briefly to the Burette family, and the Baudier family then held the house until 2003.

In 2003 the Holmes family bought Lagorce and have restored it, adapting the château as a residence and event venue; the family and the renovated house have featured in the ongoing British television series Escape to the Chateau DIY.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1636.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Château Lagorce, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the pond (western view)Terrace and pavilion above the wallOldest defensive tower (exterior)Main residential block façadeKeystone with combined coat of armsVineyard slopes of the estate

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Whose castle

Clans who held Château Lagorce.

The families that held Château Lagorce for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Montaudon

    Owned in 1636 by Menaud de Montaudon; his arms with those of the Cursol family survive on a keystone.

  • Faux

    Held by the Faux family, wine producers, from 1802 to 1859.

  • Baudier

    Held by the Baudier family until 2003.

  • Holmes

    Bought by the Holmes family in 2003.

Questions about Château Lagorce

What is the history of Château Lagorce?

Château Lagorce is a former medieval castle whose oldest defensive features include a moat and a tower with walls 1.2 metres thick. It became involved in feudal wars during the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, and the residence was partly destroyed during the latter of these centuries. In 1636, Menaud de Montaudon and Marguerite de Cursol carried out major work on the property.

Why was Château Lagorce built, and what was it used for?

Château Lagorce was built as a defensive medieval castle, with a moat and a thick-walled tower helping it defend itself during feudal wars. Its purpose later changed: it became a château and, after restoration, was adapted as a residence and event venue. The surrounding estate was also used for wine production, with Barsac and Sauternes vines planted by the Faux family.

Which family or clan held Château Lagorce?

Montaudon held Château Lagorce in 1636, when Menaud de Montaudon was married to Marguerite de Cursol. The Faux family held it from 1802 to 1859, and the Baudier family held the house until 2003. The Holmes family bought Château Lagorce in 2003.

What did Château Lagorce look like in its prime?

Château Lagorce is a pale limestone château with coursed curtain walls, a raised stone terrace and external steps. A round defensive tower projects behind the wall, with thick walls and a tall conical roof, while the two-storey residential block has warm clay-tile roofs and simple rectangular windows. Mature trees, a pavilion, a pond and vineyard slopes form the surrounding setting.

Is Château Lagorce still standing or is it a ruin?

Château Lagorce is still standing and has been restored rather than left as a ruin. It retains a fortified tower and its surrounding stone walls, while the building has undergone a complete internal retrofit. The restored château is now adapted as a residence and event venue.
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