Castles of the Gascon nobility.

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  Villandraut. The most important of the series of castles built by the L Mothe family from the proceeds derived from the papacy of Clement V. Built for Clement V himself, the castle bears strong resemblance to the castles built by Edward I in North Wales in the 1280s onwards, such as Beaumaris and most particularly Harlech, whose overall plan is almost identical. The castle was not finished by the time of the death of the pope, but the ruinous great hall, papal residence and personal chapel still clearly reveal the ambition of Clement.
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  Villandraut. The most important of the series of castles built by the L Mothe family from the proceeds derived from the papacy of Clement V. Built for Clement V himself, the castle bears strong resemblance to the castles built by Edward I in North Wales in the 1280s onwards, such as Beaumaris and most particularly Harlech, whose overall plan is almost identical. The castle was not finished by the time of the death of the pope, but the ruinous great hall, papal residence and personal chapel still clearly reveal the ambition of Clement.
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  Roquetaillade. The castle was built by another of the La Mothe family, and remains one of the most impressive fortresses of the region
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  Roquetaillade. The castle was built by another of the La Mothe family, and remains one of the most impressive fortresses of the region
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  The castle of La Trave near Langon. The castle was built by one of the members of the la Mothe family who owed their wealth and position to Pope Clement V, a member of the family who was pope from 1305-1314. The image shows part of the curtain wall with a remarkable set of arrow loops that formerly covered the approach to a neighbouring bridge.
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  The castle of La Trave near Langon. The castle was built by one of the members of the la Mothe family who owed their wealth and position to Pope Clement V, a member of the family who was pope from 1305-1314. The image shows part of the curtain wall with a remarkable set of arrow loops that formerly covered the approach to a neighbouring bridge.
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  The keep of the castle of Lesparre. The castle was the principal seat of the Lesparre family who were the most important and powerful family in northern Médoc. Usually loyal to the Englsih administration, they showed a considerable amount of independence, and were clearly difficult for the English to control.
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  The keep of the castle of Lesparre. The castle was the principal seat of the Lesparre family who were the most important and powerful family in northern Médoc. Usually loyal to the Englsih administration, they showed a considerable amount of independence, and were clearly difficult for the English to control.