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Montesquieu

Located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Garonne valley, this "wild hill" is an ancient fortified village from the Middle Ages accessible through three gates, the remains of which still stand today. The castle was located in the center, but the church has always been on the outside, suggesting that it was a sanctuary older than the village. The remains of the medieval castle of Montesquieu inspire dreams of the era of knights and the noble Secondat de Montesquieu family. Equidistant from Nérac and Agen, the village was an important frontier: sometimes a link, sometimes a barricade.

 

In February 1606, Henry IV granted the title of baron to Jacques de Secondat, a gentleman of the king's chamber. The commune thus changed from a seigneury to a barony. Most of the houses were rebuilt in the 19th century, as they were in ruins. The new town was established in the second half of the 19th century at the foot of the old town's spur. The fortifications were restored in 1936, but the castle was destroyed.
 
 
This municipality has a highest point of 163 meters and a population of around 497. It is one of the largest municipalities in the Pays d'Albret region, covering 2,554 hectares.  Its valley, bathed by the waters of the Garonne, is home to a place of great richness: the Conservatoire Végétal d'Aquitaine, an orchard museum showcasing the beauty and diversity that nature has to offer.
 
 
Anecdote: It wasJeanne d'Albret, daughter of Marguerite d'Angoulême and mother of Henri IV, who gave the land of Montesquieu to Jean de Secondat on October 2, 1564. According to Baron Philippe de Montesquieu, "The Château de Montesquieu was already in very poor condition in the 18th century."
 

Monuments:13th-century ramparts – Aquitaine Regional Plant Conservatory

 

For more information:See more photos of Montesquieu...See detailsofMontesquieu'sarchitectural heritageormovable heritage...

Events in Montesquieu
MONTESQUIEU TOWN HALL WEBSITE
The 33 municipalities
Envie d’une escapade en Albret ?

Séjournez au cœur de Nérac à l’Hôtel Henri IV

Découvrez l’Hôtel Henri IV, hôtel 3 étoiles de charme situé au cœur de Nérac, idéal pour un week-end, une étape touristique ou un séjour détente.

DÉCOUVRIR L'HÔTEL
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Hôtel Henri IV Nérac - Albret Tourisme
Hôtel Henri IV Nérac - Albret Tourisme
Hôtel Henri IV Nérac - Albret Tourisme
Hôtel Henri IV Nérac - Albret Tourisme
Hôtel Henri IV Nérac - Albret Tourisme

Séjournez au cœur de Nérac à l’Hôtel Henri IV

Envie d’une escapade en Albret ? Découvrez l’Hôtel Henri IV, hôtel 3 étoiles de charme situé au cœur de Nérac, idéal pour un week-end, une étape touristique ou un séjour détente.

Découvrir l’hôtel
Henri IV Castle Museum
Moulin des Tours

Guided tours in February

From Tuesday, February 10 to Thursday, February 19,

The Albret Tourist Office invites you to follow its guides on a journey of discovery:

 

of the Moulin des Tours and

of the Henri IV Castle Museum

Learn more