Château de Bellegarde

The castle's origins date back to the 12th century, evidenced by the foundations of the keep. Between 1355 and 1376, Nicolas Braque, then Trésorier de France, had the current square donjon with its four corner turrets constructed. Under the L’Hospital family, descendants of the Braques, the castle underwent significant changes during the reigns of Henry IV and Louis XIII. Jacques de L’Hospital added the Pavillon des Ondes with a wrought-iron staircase and built the Captain's Tower in the upper courtyard, which was later converted into a residence by Gautier, Sieur de Besigny. In 1646, Roger II de Saint-Lary became Duc de Bellegarde.