Castle of Poudenas
History of the Castle
Built in the 13th century by the Lords of Poudenas who were subjects of Edward the First, a Plantagenet, Duke of Aquitaine and King of England, the chateau of Poudenas defends the valley of the Gelise river fifty meters below at the point where the forest of the Landes region begins.
A military fortification until the 16th century, the chateau featured mullioned windows that lit the dungeon on the north and the south. One hundred years later, a complete re-modeling decorated the interior courtyard with two suspended terraces and the wide façade with a triple arcade remindful of an Italian villa with its surrounding landscaping.
The gardens of the chateau of Poudenas cover 25 acres and were planted at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th by the Count of Dijon who was the owner at that time. The gardens have something to offer everyone - for a simple stroll or for the confirmed -or budding! - botanist .
No fewer than a hundred different species can be found if you look carefully! Cedars from the Atlas and from Lebanon, several varieties of oaks, walnuts, elms, ash, maples, elms from Siberia, wild cherry trees, ginkobilobas, khakis, linden trees and many others.
You can take a path lined with cypresses, some of which date from the 17th century, the time when the Gascon fortress was transformed into an Italian villa open for festivities.
Italian artists and architects living in Agen to be near Bishop Della Rovere took the initiative to re-create a Tuscan landscape at this site.
When you have steeped yourelf in the charm of this environment you can proceed to the Portal that leads to the interior courtyard. There you will discover the harmonious architecture that is apparent in this place.
In the main building which is over 260 feet long there are six large rooms in succession, each with a different style and furnishings depending on the period of its decorating,
re-furbishing or restoration.
