Maignaut-Tauzia showcases its history through a range of buildings: in addition to the former Castelnau, there are castle ruins, the Pigeonnier-octroi et fontaine, listed as a historic monument, as well as a church and a Romanesque chapel. The PR 29 trail passes the edge of Tauzia’s historic site and crosses the Auloue valley. The village thus combines a clear cultural and historical focus with a specific hiking option.

Fortified village and architectural history

Maignaut-Tauzia is a former Castelnau, or fortified village. The village is entered through a gate tower; of the two original gate towers, only the northern gate remains. The entrance and former fortifications provide a tangible context for the village’s history: the story is not just about individual buildings, but also about the layout of the fortified settlement.

The Château de Maignaut was built in the 14th century and modernised between the 15th and 16th centuries. The ruins of the Château de Tauzia are a separate site, listed as a historic monument by decree of 14 November 1942. The dates therefore refer to different things: the construction and modernisation phases of the Château de Maignaut, and the listing date for the ruins of Tauzia.

The Pigeonnier-octroi et fontaine is also listed as a historic monument, by decree of 15 January 2010. Its triangular floor plan is a distinctive feature; it probably dates from the 19th century. This building therefore combines a clearly described form with a cautiously worded date. When exploring the heritage, it is worth keeping these two details distinct.

Church and Romanesque chapel

The church of Saint-Michel is dedicated to Saint Michael. It was built outside the former fortifications after the medieval church, which was attached to the castle, had been destroyed. The present-day church and the former church building therefore belong to different periods in the village’s history.

Another religious building is the Chapelle Notre Dame de l'Auloue (Le Canonge), which dates from the Romanesque period. Its western façade has a bell gable with a single arch containing a bell. These architectural features offer a precise comparison with the church of Saint-Michel: the chapel can be described in terms of its period and a single façade detail, while the village church is chiefly distinguished by its location outside the former fortifications and the history of the destroyed church building.

PR 29 trail and practical information

The PR 29 trail is 11.6 kilometres long, rated moderate and listed as taking three hours. It starts at Maignaut-Tauzia’s picnic and play area, passes the edge of Tauzia’s historic site—the remains of a Gascon castle—and crosses the Auloue valley. The distance, difficulty level and duration give you concrete points to consider when deciding whether to include the hike in your plans. Along the way, two of the area’s notable features come together: the valley landscape and the historic site of Tauzia.

Next to the village church is a family recreation area with a children’s playground, table tennis table and picnic area. Maignaut-Tauzia can be visited free of charge all year round. Check access information and details of the facilities before setting off, so you can plan your visit accordingly.

If you are looking for a holiday rental in Maignaut-Tauzia, first consider whether you want the village’s history to be the main focus or whether you would also like to include the three-hour PR 29 hike in your stay.

Discover more destinations: Eauze, Riscle, Saint-Léonard, Caussens, Courties, Castillon-Massas, Terraube, Gondrin.

For the wider travel overview: Gers.