Discover Lamazère: Motte, Church and Petite Baïse

Lamazère can be explored through its architectural history and the Petite Baïse. The Église Saint-Blaise, the medieval motte castrale and the Pile of Ortholas each offer a different perspective; the river, ford and historic routes are also among the features that characterise the area. If you are looking for a destination with cultural points of interest, Lamazère offers the chance to consider different historical periods and their relationship with the landscape. There is also a named route along the Petite Baïse and a small stone arch bridge at the hamlet of Charles.

Church and different phases of construction

The Église Saint-Blaise was listed as a historic monument by decree on 6 September 1978. Romanesque sections are still visible in parts of the eastern and northern walls. One of the chapels is said to date from 1665. The church therefore brings together evidence from different periods: its listed status, surviving Romanesque features and a chapel with a tentative date. The year 1978 refers to its protected status, not to the church’s construction.

Guided tours are available at the Église Saint-Blaise. If you are planning a tour, check before travelling whether one will be available during your visit. This lets you include a visit to the church as a separate part of your travel plans without assuming a particular tour time or on-site access.

Motte, ford and local tradition

The medieval motte castrale of the lords of Lamazère served as an ideal lookout over the ford on the Petite Baïse. It was abandoned in the 12th century in favour of the present-day château. This information places the site in its historical context while also highlighting its connection to the river crossing: the motte overlooked the ford and was later succeeded by the present-day château.

Local traditions link the nearby motte to the grave of a Gallic leader who is said to have been buried with a treasure of gold coins. This story belongs to local tradition and should be distinguished from the information about the motte’s function and abandonment. The site therefore offers two different kinds of history: the described function of the fortification and a local story whose claims are explicitly uncertain.

Tourraque and Pile of Ortholas

The Tourraque d’Ortolas lies 1.5 km north of Lamazère on the right bank of the Petite Baïse and is 5.50 m high. Its location and height provide two concrete points of reference: its position in relation to the river and its height.

The Gallo-Roman Pile on the Ortholas estate is known in Gascony as a “Turraque”. It is thought to date from the 3rd century and was designated a historic monument in 1963. The role of each date matters: 1963 refers to its designation as a monument, while the 3rd century is the probable date of the Pile. Another tentative date concerns the chapel of Saint-Blaise, which is said to date from 1665. This should be distinguished from the abandonment of the motte in the 12th century: that describes a historical transition, not the construction date of the monuments mentioned here.

Route and river crossing

The “En suivant la Baïse” route follows a small road along the Petite Baïse to Lamazère. Route details may change locally, so check the route before planning your trip. At the hamlet of “Charles”, a small stone arch bridge crosses the Petite Baïse. It lies along the route of the former railway line. The two details offer different points of reference: the route describes a road leading to Lamazère, while the bridge provides a river crossing along a former railway track.

Lamazère offers several themes to consider when choosing your destination: sacred architecture, a medieval fortification connected with a ford, and architectural and transport links along the Petite Baïse. The dates help distinguish these themes; check in advance for guided tours at the Église Saint-Blaise and local route details.

Discover more destinations: Marguestau, Duffort, Lombez, Arblade-le-Bas, Castex-d'Armagnac, Lamothe-Goas, Castillon-Massas, Mirepoix.

For the wider travel overview: Gers.