Castle of Lourdes: A Historic Fortress and Museum in France

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.chateaufort-lourdes.fr

Country: France

Civilization: Medieval European

Remains: Military

History

The Castle of Lourdes stands in the town of Lourdes, France, and was originally established by the Romans. Archaeological discoveries at the site reveal its deep historical roots through remains such as sculptures and votive altars that date back to ancient times. Positioned at the gateway to the seven valleys of the Lavedan in the Pyrenees, its location ensured strategic significance throughout its history.

In the early medieval period, the fortress was an important stronghold. In 778, Charlemagne led a siege against the castle, confronting the Saracen chieftain Mirat. Legend tells that Mirat embraced Christianity following this conflict and was baptized with the name Lorus, which is said to be the origin of the town’s name. By the 11th and 12th centuries, the castle served as the home of the Counts of Bigorre, highlighting its role as a center of regional power.

Control of the castle shifted during the 12th century when the Counts of Champagne, who also ruled Navarre, took possession. Later, the fortress became part of the French crown under King Philip IV, known as Philippe le Bel. During the Hundred Years’ War, the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360 transferred the castle to English hands. This occupation lasted until the early 15th century, when the French recaptured the stronghold after two sieges, returning it to French rule.

Throughout the 13th and 14th centuries, the castle underwent significant enlargement and fortification, including the construction of its central tower, or keep (donjon). Further enhancements were made in the 17th and 19th centuries as it adapted to the changing needs of military defense. Under King Henry IV in 1590, the fortress was transformed into a royal residence. Subsequently, it was used as a prison, first by the monarchy and later by the state, a function it maintained until the early 20th century.

In 1921, the castle changed its role once more when it was converted into the Pyrenean Museum. Founded by Louis and Margalide Le Bondidier, the museum collected and displayed artifacts documenting the history and culture of the Pyrenean region from the late eighteenth to the early twentieth centuries. Recognized for its heritage value, the site was classified as a Monument Historique in 1933 and later declared a French Museum by the Ministry of Culture in 2002.

Remains

The Castle of Lourdes occupies a rocky plateau overlooking the surrounding valleys, featuring a layout shaped by centuries of military engineering. The visible foundations predominantly date to the 11th and 12th centuries, forming the core structure around which later fortifications were developed. The castle’s design reflects adaptations to evolving defensive needs, combining medieval and later elements.

At the heart of the fortress stands the imposing keep, a tower originally erected around 1314. This structure rises 26 meters high and was elevated after a siege in 1406 to strengthen its defensive advantage. Inside the tower, a narrow spiral staircase of 104 steps leads visitors to the summit. Near the keep’s entrance, a dungeon space known as the segreta is present, highlighting the tower’s multifunctional use.

Access to the castle was controlled by robust defensive works. A reconstructed horned drawbridge from the 19th century spans the outer gate, complementing a fortified entryway equipped with a portcullis, a heavy vertically sliding grille, and machicolations—openings through which defenders could drop objects or pour substances on attackers. The Chausenque bastion, a 15th-century artillery tower attached to the castle, features two floors filled with embrasures, or slits, for firing weapons. Additionally, the southern platform known as the cavalier served as an artillery emplacement and includes a corner turret that functioned as a lookout post.

The fortress was designed to support long-term occupation. A substantial cistern within the castle, measuring 130 cubic meters, collected rainwater for use by its inhabitants. Sanitary needs were addressed by latrines constructed within the living areas. Nearby lies a small Pyrenean cemetery containing funerary steles and stone sarcophagi from different periods, indicating the site’s extended significance beyond pure military use.

Religious practices found a place at the site with the Notre-Dame-du-Château chapel. This chapel was built using materials salvaged from the Saint-Pierre parish church, which was demolished in 1904. Inside, it preserves Baroque-style furnishings originally belonging to the old church and the private chapel of the Counts of Bigorre, linking the religious heritage with the castle’s noble past.

In the 19th century, extensive military engineering efforts added new structures, such as a powder magazine for storing gunpowder, and converted parts of the castle into barracks. Excavations during this period revealed Roman artifacts, including sculptures and votive altars, which remain on display at the site, providing tangible evidence of the fortress’s ancient origins.