Castelnau-Barbarens has the typical form of a fortified settlement: the houses cluster around the hill and developed around a central castle. The townscape therefore brings together an organically developed settlement structure, historic architectural heritage and paths leading into the surrounding countryside.
Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Castelnau-Barbarens can consider the town as a destination for their stay.
Culture
In odd-numbered years, Lo Rondèu holds the major Rondèu Festival in Castelnau-Barbarens.
History
From the 12th century onwards, Castelnau-Barbarens was one of the four castellanies of Astarac. The surviving bell tower belonged to the former church of Castelnau-Barbarens and dates approximately from the 13th century.
Townscape
From the Chemin Midi-des-Fossés, you can see the line of the defensive wall, now pierced by openings; the adjoining gardens occupy the former dry moats. The visible remains of the former castle include retaining walls, identifiable by their carefully laid stone courses.
The Notre-Dame-de-Pitié Chapel is a preserved part of the former church. It is believed to date from the 16th century and has a floor plan divided across several levels, adapted to the steep slope. Its lower section includes a rib-vaulted area that may date from the 14th century. The Sainte-Quitterie Church preserves reliquary busts of Saint Nicholas and Saint Quitterie from the former church.
In the area around Castelnau-Barbarens stands the Copolis wooden cross, dating from 1901. It was restored in 1959 in memory of the parish priest of Lepreisse.
Landscape
From the orientation panel, you can overlook the village and, in clear weather, the Arrats Valley and the Pyrenees mountain range. At the Tumulus Lakes, a constantly flowing spring feeds two lakes that were formerly used for fish farming.
Paths and Springs
The Chemin des Sources et des Bains is an 8-kilometre circular route leading to the local springs. It starts at Place Centulle 1er near the town hall at the top of the village. Four marked hiking trails also lead from the upper part of Castelnau-Barbarens to other hamlets in the municipality.
The springs of La Quèque are connected with former baths where spa guests were accommodated for weeks from 1840 to 1964.
Visiting
The Pays d’art et d’histoire service of Grand Auch Cœur de Gascogne regularly organises guided tours. The Notre-Dame-de-Pitié Chapel serves as a tourist information centre.
