In the Castle of Lanne-en-Barétous with Porthos…

Porthos, one of the Musketeers of Alejandro Dumas novels, was truly named Isaac de Portau, born in Pau 1617 and appointed as a musketeer in 1643.

In order to write his novel, Alejandro Dumas was inspired by the Memories of D’ARTAGNAN -COURTILZ  DE SANDRAS, published in 1701.

Odile Bordas, author of the book about the ways of d’Artagnan and the Musketeers (Balzac publishing company) recalls Isaac de Portau, alias Porthos:

In the château de Lanne with Porthos

“Following the way to Mauléon through the Barétous valley, we will arrive to Lanne. The castle and its rooms near the church make one set, worthy of the Royal Guard musketeers on horse! Here, according to the local tradition, lived the most exuberant of all of them, Porthos!

Isaac de Portau, alias PORTHOS

His real name, Isaac de Portau, the future musketeer equally immortalized by Alejandro Dumas, was born on the 2nd day of February 1617 in Pau, where his grandfather worked as supervisor of the King of Navarra kitchens. His father was Isaac, both secretary of the King and the Navarra States and general notary of Béarn, who was ennobled after acquiring some seigneurial properties. Married in second wedlock with Ana D'Arrac de Gan, Protestant family related to the La Force lords, then Isaac Sr. had two sons and a daughter:  Juan, war controller and secretary of the Béarn States; Isaac, the future musketeer, and Jeanne.

Like D'Artagnan and Athos, Isaac de Portau served as a cadet in the French Guard in the company Mr. des Essarts, Tréville's brother-in-law, before serving in the Musketeers company, directed by the influential captain.

Like Aramits, he retired from the service in 1646, after the company dissolution and governed in its home town, Béarn. There, in that castle of Lanne, Isaac de Portau decided to live.

At the entrance of the town, next to the church, which at that time was the castle chapel, it is located the residence, a wonderful one-floor building with very steep slope roofs.

The castle, with the perfect harmony of its proportions and the sobriety of its style, has two square towers which confer it a seigneurial look. It is a mansion typical of Béarn's architecture, whose rear curved windows offer an incredible view of the valley and bank of the stream Vert and, in the distance, in the horizon, the mountains.

The castle, as well as doors and locks remain closed.*

The earthquake which destroyed during the 60's the neighbouring town of Arette deteriorated the inside of the castle, but it has not lost his charm. The main door and staircase are two reasons for awakening your imagination. 

At dusk, don't you wait for its owner powerful silhouette to emerge and welcome you?

Below, on the road, just before nightfall, it must be still heard the echo of the last cavalcade, or the return from a hunting day...

At nightfall, sat down next to the fireplace, there were many things to talk about with Mr. de Portau. How many memories to be recalled! Memories from his old comrades, from those who no longer were his comrades… Athos… and many others…! He remembered the endless battle days in the Northern plains devastated by war and death, which were so frequent at that time… the return to the country along with those people met on the way, those who had returned, also full of memories… Tréville, his old captain; Aramits, the neighbour… Paul de Castelmore, crowned by his own achievements and the glory of his brother…!”

* This text is previous to the restoration of the castle in 2005