L'ANCIEN CHÂTEAU DES COMTES D'ARMAGNAC

You will be surprised of the majestic structure waiting for you at the end of “Rue Nationale” (Lectoure’s main street). It was once the castle of the Counts of Armagnac, then in 1749 it became a hospital and today the infamous Village of Antiques. A short summary might be useful: The fortress grasps the edge of the hill at the west end. Only the west wing and the bulwark are what’s left of the Medieval structure. To the front, a U-shaped building with arcades in the interior courtyard. Home to a hospital for 250 years. Under the old regime, men and women worked tirelessly to weave linen and hemp. Since the hospital’s shutdown in July 2013, a new life begins: The Village of Antiques! Open every day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. It has become one of the most important places to visit in the region.