Bazens: Château, History and Walking Routes

Bazens offers a range of themes for a stay, including the Château de Bazens and Église Saint-Martial, two walking routes and Les Vergers de Titoy. The building history can be traced through individual architectural features and Matteo Bandello’s connection to the Château. Two practical differences are important when planning: the site is open only during Heritage Days, and you should check the route conditions on site for Circuit No. 436.

Château and Église Saint-Martial

The surviving north wing of the Château is attached to Église Saint-Martial; the château’s stair tower was built in 1494. The church’s stone altar dates from its original construction phase in the 11th or 12th century. This gives two distinct points of reference: the altar belongs to the early construction phase, while a specific year is given for the stair tower. The comparison places the architectural features in their historical context without assigning them to a single period of construction.

Matteo Bandello, a bishop of Agen and poet from Italy, is part of the Château’s history. The Château was his preferred residence; he established a small episcopal court there, which remained until his death in 1561. Alongside the construction dates, the residence and court are also part of the area’s history. The site comprising the Château de Bazens and Église Saint-Martial de Bazens is open exclusively during Heritage Days. Check the event dates before planning a visit.

Walking routes and landscape

Circuit No. 436 starts at Place du château, is 3.2 kilometres long and takes about an hour on foot. It first descends into the valley of the Le Courant stream and then climbs up to the plateau. From there, there are numerous views over the Garonne Valley. The approximate walking time gives you a guide for planning your day; the route also links a stretch through the valley with the climb to the plateau. Some sections cross private land. Check the route conditions on site before setting out.

In Bazens, Circuit No. 151 passes through Place du château, Place des Abeaux and Place de l'église. By comparison, No. 436 is defined by its length, approximate walking time and landscape, while No. 151 offers three named squares as waypoints. Check the route conditions on site for this route, too.

Pear products at Les Vergers de Titoy

Les Vergers de Titoy welcomes visitors to its farm in Bazens. Red Williams pears are grown there and processed and distilled into pear brandy, blossom water and aperitifs. The products are sold directly from the farm. For travellers who would like to include regional products in their plans, the farm offers a different kind of visit from the Château and church: the focus is on Williams pears and the products made from them.

Local attractions range from architectural history and the story of a historical figure to a walking route with a described landscape and products from a farm. You can consider each focus separately when making your choice: the historic site is open only during Heritage Days, the length and approximate walking time are provided for Circuit No. 436, and Les Vergers de Titoy combines a welcome for visitors with the sale of its own pear products.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Jean-De-Thurac, Laussou, Saint-Aubin, Labretonie, Lévignac-De-Guyenne, Casteljaloux, Lacapelle-Biron, Beauville.

For the broader travel guide: Lot Et Garonne.