Chateau De Morlanne, France

Chateau De Morlanne Stately Homes in Morlanne, Pyrenees-Atlantiques, France

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Gaston Phoebus built a network of fortifications surrounding the Bearn and Chateau de Morlanne was part of this defence system. It was built in 1373 for the half brother of Gaton Phoebus, Arnaud Guilhem de Bearn. Phoebus' strong determination to retain Bearn's independance led to him opposing determination the Kings of France and England in the Hundred Years War. In later years, the Chateau de Morlanne became the property of Odet d'Aydie, who was admiral of Guyenne in the 16th-century and the Marechal de la Force in the 17th-century who comforted Henri IV in his dying hours.

This Chateau is a perfectly restored brick fortress with a rectangular towered gateway on the northern side and surrounded by defensive walls. Raymond Ritter, a scholar passionate about history, literature and art; and Hélène; his wife, recreated the original architecture.

Inside the castle there is an impressive collection of furniture and paintaings including paintings by Canaletto and Fragonard. The collection covers the past 500 years.