One castle can hide another.
The first castle
The earliest written record of a château dates from 1035. It was built on the highest point of the village, from where it offered a 360o view from its keep and ramparts.
This château was destroyed by Simon de Montfort during the Albigensian Crusade and all that remains today is a round tower in a corner of the ramparts called the Montfort Tower.
The birth of a medieval fortress
After Simon de Montfort’s destructive visit, a new château was built on the ruins, and its main feature was a corner tower called the keep. In the early 14th century, the château was transformed into a medieval fortress. New owners – the Du building programme to improve the fortifications, including the addition of guard towers, ramparts, walkways and a drawbridge.
Enhancing the edifice
An unusual feature of the château is that, as you move from one room to another, you will travel through the centuries. Each room represents the life of a lord at a particular moment in time. The Duèze family gave the château its fortified medieval aspect with a state room of 270 square metres called the Aula.
Later, the Marquis and Marquise Moriès de Mourvilles showed off their sophisticated taste by adding decorative stucco mouldings to the small reception rooms, and they also created the English landscaped garden below their walls.
The Marquis d’Auberjon stamped his personality on the building by making decorative improvements such as painted ceilings and a superb Florentine mosaic.
A date for your diary
Don’t miss this event in the château.
The Historical Festival of the Cocagne takes place each Easter weekend and it allows visitors to immerse themselves in times gone by. Costumes from all eras, ancient crafts, historical performances – and the Cocagne Pole! Come and discover this traditional festival.