Stay 
Durance Priory
approx. 4 km
A former farm of an abbey that grew into a fortified priory. Its chapel, built in the first half of the 13th century, has 14th-century wall paintings with about 90 scenes.
La Tour d'Avance: sleep in a Hospitaller keep in Lot-et-Garonne
La Tour d'Avance in Fargues-sur-Ourbise is the old stone keep of a commandery of the Knights Hospitaller, probably built in the early 13th century and later a hunting stop of Henri of Navarre, the future Henri IV. The façades and roofs of the tower are listed, and today the keep and its outbuildings are let to guests, with a pool and garden in Lot-et-Garonne, between Bordeaux and Agen.
At a glance
- Location
- Fargues-sur-Ourbise, Lot-et-Garonne (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), in the Gascon Lande, about 38 km as the crow flies from Agen
- Accommodation
- A holiday let in and around the keep of a former commandery of the Order of St John; the listing is marketed as a former hunting lodge of Henri IV and is described as suitable for families. A second listing for the same property presents it as a commandery in the forest
- Highlights
- Pool, whirlpool, garden, barbecue, fireplace, table tennis, free Wi-Fi, 5 bathrooms, electric-car charging point
- Guest rating
- 10.0/10 from 2 reviews on Expedia (as of 14 Oct 2026)
- Check-in & check-out
- Not stated in this listing; the second listing for the property gives check-in from 4 pm and check-out by 12 noon
- Good to know
- Pets are not allowed in this listing (the second listing accepts up to 3 dogs or cats) · designated smoking areas · parking on site
Staying at La Tour d'Avance: a night in a Hospitaller keep
Staying at La Tour d'Avance means sleeping in a place that is part monument, part country house. This is not a hotel with a reception desk: Expedia lists it as a self-catering holiday property for families and groups, with a full kitchen, a separate dining area, a living room with a fireplace and five bathrooms. Wikipedia reports that the commandery was restored and converted into group accommodation and a seminar venue after a sale in 2013, which fits the layout.
Outdoors, the listing mentions a swimming pool with a stone tower rising behind it, a whirlpool, a garden with a barbecue, table tennis and a stereo system. A charging point for electric cars is on site, and local businesses organise tours and activities. The rooms have air conditioning as well as central heating, and bed linen and towels are provided.
Expedia also lists a second, separate offer for the same property, presented as a 19th-century commandery in the heart of the forest, with bicycles, deck chairs and breakfast at an extra charge. The two listings differ in some rules (for example, pets), so it is worth reading the one you book carefully.
Photos of La Tour d'Avance
The history of La Tour d'Avance
- Early 13th c. – The commandery of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, known as the Tour d'Avance, is probably built. Gascon keep-towers of this period served as lookouts and guard posts over the Lande.
- 1344 – The house and church of Avance are united with the hospital of Nomdieu.
- Late 15th c. – The site becomes a commandery in its own right; later it again becomes a dependency of the commandery of Argentens.
- 1549 – The tower lies at the edge of the Albret hunting park at Durance. Antoine de Bourbon extends the park up to the tower but leaves the property to the commander. Henri of Navarre often comes here to hunt.
- 1627–1628 – The house is burned down to stop thieves from sheltering in it.
- 17th c. – Commander Jacques de Pichon restores the site: he rebuilds the staircase, encloses the base court, rebuilds the chapel and adds outbuildings and a cellar. The present look of the site goes back to him.
- 1737–1742 – The last repairs are documented in 1737. By 1742 the tower is only a farmhouse for tenant farmers.
- 1967 – On 16 February the façades and roofs of the keep, together with the remains of the chapel and the enclosure, are listed as historic monuments.
- After 2013 – Sold in 2013, the commandery is restored and converted for group stays and seminars.
The keep reinforced a corner of the commandery's enclosure. It is a rectangular building of four floors, the top one probably added later, with a round tower at one corner containing a spiral staircase that serves every level. The windows were opened up at a later date. A survey of 1737 describes a tiled room on the first floor, a room on the third floor, a kitchen and a place to store grain.
The commander of Argentens kept the two rooms, the kitchen and the stabling for his horses for himself when he stayed. In the Revolution the property of the Order of St John was seized, and the buildings later passed into private hands. Wikipedia lists the tower under the châteaux of Lot-et-Garonne, although it is, strictly speaking, a commandery keep.
Facilities and services at La Tour d'Avance
The details below come from the two Expedia listings for the property (as of 14 Oct 2026); what applies can differ between the listings.
Living and sleeping
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
- Five bathrooms, with bath or shower, hair dryer, soap and towels
- Bed linen provided
- Living room with fireplace and Smart TV
- Air conditioning and central heating
- Desk with computer monitor and printer
Kitchen and dining
- Fully equipped kitchen with hob, oven, microwave and dishwasher
- Fridge, toaster, kettle, cookware and spices
- Separate dining area
- Washing facilities, tumble dryer and iron
- Breakfast at an extra charge (second listing)
Outdoors and leisure
- Swimming pool and whirlpool
- Garden with barbecue
- Table tennis and stereo system
- Deck chairs, outdoor furniture and bicycles (second listing)
- Tours and activities organised by local businesses
- Performances by local artists
Practical
- Parking on site
- Charging point for electric cars
- Water dispenser
- Housekeeping on request
- Double-glazed windows and partly LED lighting
- Composting and recycling
Where La Tour d'Avance is: between Bordeaux and Agen
The tower stands in the commune of Fargues-sur-Ourbise, in the south of Lot-et-Garonne, on the edge of the Gascon Lande and near the river Avance. The village church is about 4 km away and Agen about 38 km as the crow flies. By car, Expedia gives about 22 minutes to Aiguillon station and about 39 minutes to La Garenne airport at Agen; the second listing gives 18 and 37 minutes.
Nearby, Expedia mentions the thermal baths of Casteljaloux, Golf d'Albret, Lavardac, the windmill and church of Barbaste, the Lud'O Parc leisure park and a farm and prune museum. Two kilometres away are the Lumé passage graves, three prehistoric megalithic monuments. Henri of Navarre's links with the area also run through Nérac, whose château lies about 17 km from the tower.
Distances (as the crow flies from La Tour d'Avance)
| Lumé passage graves (prehistoric) | approx. 2 km |
| Fortified church of Saint-Cyr, Fargues-sur-Ourbise | approx. 4 km |
| Durance Priory | approx. 4 km |
| Château d'Ambrus | approx. 9 km |
| Château de Xaintrailles | approx. 9 km |
| Barbaste fortified mill | approx. 12 km |
| Casteljaloux | approx. 13 km |
| Château de Nérac | approx. 17 km |
| Agen | approx. 38 km |
Distances calculated as the crow flies; driving times to the station and airport come from the Expedia listings.
What to see around La Tour d'Avance
Château d'Ambrus
approx. 9 km
A castle first mentioned in 1259. At that time it probably consisted of a three-storey keep of about 6 by 6.6 m inside a small walled enclosure.
Château de Xaintrailles
approx. 9 km
A medieval castle protected as a historic monument since 1840, with a keep and base court. Jean Poton de Xaintrailles, a companion of Joan of Arc, belonged to its family.
Barbaste fortified mill
approx. 12 km
Also called the Henri IV mill, this late 13th-century wheat mill stands on the river Gélise. Sale deeds from 1308 mention the mill and its lords of Albret.
Casteljaloux
approx. 13 km
A rural town of 4,755 inhabitants (2023) in Lot-et-Garonne. Expedia lists its thermal baths among the attractions near La Tour d’Avance.
Château de Nérac
approx. 17 km
A Louis XII-style château between Gothic and early Renaissance, finished under Jeanne d’Albret, who held court there. Its surviving north wing houses the town museum.
Tours & activities near La Tour d'Avance
Experiences in the region that you can book online with Viator:
Sarlat la Canéda: The Dordogne valley by canoe
This canoe descent from Vitrac will allow you to discover the Dordogne valley in a unique and ecological way. From a few hours to a few days, between …
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Dordogne Day Tour : Prehistory and The Art of the Caves from Sarlat
Follow a small group scheduled tour that will take you to the most significant sites that are linked with palaeolithic art of the Dordogne. The tour …
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Dordogne Villages Half Day Tour from Sarlat
Take part in a small group scheduled tour to discover some of the most beautiful villages that the Dordogne region has to offer. This tour will take …
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Initiation Pelota Basque in Biarritz
Through the history and rules of Basque pelota, you will discover the evolution of the practice, equipment and different techniques around 3 …
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Sarlat Gourmet Tour and Market Visit
Discover the gorgeous city of Sarlat, one of the most fascinating small towns of France. This tour takes place on market days, so follow your guide …
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Saint Emilion Half Day Ebike and Wine Tour with Picnic.
Join Bordeaux Wine Pilgrim on a Half day journey through the picturesque vineyards of St. Emilion. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the French …
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Private Basque Country Tour Hidden Villages and Culinary Delights
Explore the enchanting Basque Country with a private guide, uncovering secret spots in charming villages like Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz, Espelette …
View details ›
Médoc : Food and Wine Day Tour
Escape Bordeaux for a day and discover the Médoc through its wines, flavors, and iconic vineyard landscapes. Designed for travelers who want to …
View details ›Some descriptions are machine-translated.
Who is La Tour d'Avance for?
Families and groups
Five bathrooms, a pool, a garden and a kitchen make it practical for relatives or friends travelling together.
History lovers
A listed Hospitaller keep, a priory with 14th-century paintings and the castles of Ambrus, Xaintrailles and Nérac are all within a short drive.
Seekers of calm
A rural setting in the Gascon Lande, with a pool and a garden, far from the main tourist routes.
Followers of Henri IV
The tower was a hunting stop of Henri of Navarre, and Nérac, where Jeanne d'Albret held court, is close by.
Good to know before booking La Tour d'Avance
- Two listings exist for this property, with slightly different rules. The main one does not allow pets; the second accepts up to three dogs or cats in total.
- The main listing does not state check-in and check-out times. The second listing gives check-in from 4 pm and check-out by 12 noon; confirm the times for the listing you book.
- Parking is available on site, and there is a charging point for electric cars.
- This is a self-catering property: the kitchen is fully equipped, and housekeeping is on request. Breakfast is offered at an extra charge only in the second listing.
- Designated smoking areas exist in the main listing; the second listing is non-smoking.
- A car is practical: the nearest station, Aiguillon, is about 22 minutes away by car.
Find available dates at La Tour d'Avance
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay overnight at La Tour d'Avance?
Yes. The keep and its buildings are let as holiday accommodation, and both listings can be booked through Expedia. It is a self-catering property rather than a hotel.
Are pets allowed at La Tour d'Avance?
It depends on the listing. The main listing does not allow pets; the second listing accepts up to three dogs or cats in total.
Is there a pool?
Yes. Expedia lists a swimming pool for the property, and the main listing also mentions a whirlpool.
Is there parking?
Yes, parking is available on the property, and there is also a charging point for electric cars.
How far is it from Agen and the nearest station?
Agen is about 38 km away as the crow flies. According to Expedia, Aiguillon station is about 22 minutes by car and La Garenne airport about 39 minutes.
What is there to see near La Tour d'Avance?
Within about 9 km are the Durance priory with its medieval wall paintings and the castles of Ambrus and Xaintrailles. The Barbaste mill is about 12 km away and Nérac about 17 km.
Photos, guest reviews and available dates are all in the La Tour d'Avance listing on Expedia.
Fancy a night in a listed Hospitaller keep in the Lot-et-Garonne? Check availability and current prices for La Tour d'Avance on Expedia.
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