The arcaded bell tower of Sainte-Marie in Lannes has five openings. This specific architectural detail leads into the history of a place that can also be read through its other churches and the Château de La Grangerie. The religious buildings each have a different focus: alongside their architectural form, their dating and heritage protection are significant, while frescoes are also a focus in Villeneuve-de-Mézin.
Churches and Art History
The nave of Sainte-Marie was probably built in the 11th or 12th century. Together with the arcaded bell tower, the church thus combines a named design feature with a construction phase that has been dated cautiously. Another focus is the fortified church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in the village of Villeneuve-de-Mézin, within the territory of Lannes. It dates from the late 12th century; the church contains frescoes from the 16th and 17th centuries, which were recently restored. The construction and paintings are thus several centuries apart. For travellers interested in sacred art, Saint-Jean-Baptiste offers later pictorial art as well as its medieval architecture. By comparison, Sainte-Marie is notable for its bell tower and the probable date of its nave.
Cazeaux: Church, Chapel and Cemetery
The church of Cazeaux in Lannes has been listed as a historic monument since 22 February 1926. The Chapelle de Cazeaux and the surrounding cemetery have been a classified site since 22 May 1943. Plans for the protected church-and-cemetery site at Cazeaux call for preserving its current character; no new parking spaces are planned. Cazeaux thus brings individual religious buildings and the cemetery surrounding them together in matters of protection and planning.
La Grangerie and Armagnac
The Château de La Grangerie was a former monastery that was converted into a château in the 18th century. Visitors can sample Armagnac and Floc de Gascogne produced there. Tours with the owners are also available, presenting the architecture, remains and history of the site. The history of the building is thus combined with two specific offerings: tastings of its own products and a tour with the owners. This is a different cultural focus from that of the churches, where architecture and art history take centre stage.
Winegrowing and Landscape
Another perspective is offered by the route “De Lannes à Mézin, le parfum de l’Armagnac-Ténarèze”, which passes through vineyards in the Armagnac-Ténarèze AOC area. While the tastings at the château focus on Armagnac and Floc de Gascogne, the vineyards take centre stage along the route. For travellers who prefer to focus on the landscape rather than individual buildings, Lannes’ hilly terrain offers another point of interest. It is bounded by the Landes forest landscape and the Auzoue and Osse rivers. These named rivers and the forest landscape give the natural surroundings a different character from the cultural highlights around the churches and château.
Discover more destinations: Moncrabeau, Agnac, Layrac, Bourgougnague, Madaillan, Cocumont, Pont-Du-Casse, Seyches
For the broader travel overview: Lot Et Garonne.
