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Origin and history

Tournel Castle is a feudal building built on a rocky spur overlooking the upper Lot Valley, in the department of Lozère. Former seat of the Barons of the Tournel, one of the eight baronies of Gevaudan, he played a strategic role in controlling a territory stretching from Mount Lozère to Mende. Its remains, partly dated from the 12th century, protected an unfortified village occupied until the early 20th century. The site, reputedly stunning, served as a refuge during medieval conflicts.

Before the 13th century, the family of the Tournel, originally established at the Château de Chapieu (Mont Mimat), adopted this name around 1215 after being installed in the eponymous castle. The Barony was then divided into five orders: Tournel, Chapieu, Montialoux, Montmirat and Montfort. At the beginning of the 14th century, the family gradually abandoned the Tournel for the comfort of the castle of the Boy in Valdonrez. Despite its defensive importance, the site was destroyed for the first time around 1500 and then ravaged by the Huguenot troops of Matthew Merle during the Wars of Religion.

The castle, composed of six towers and a 13th century dungeon decorated with roses, was accessible after having crossed seven doors. His chapel was dedicated to Saint Peter. Abandoned after the Wars of Religion, it has never been restored but has been consolidated since the 20th century. The municipality of Mont Lozère and Goulet acquired the property in 2018 to preserve and enhance it. An interpretive trail now allows you to discover its ruins.

The Château du Tournel inspired the arts: it illustrates the cover of a disc by Yves Montand (1955), appears in the film Saint-Jacques... La Mecque by Coline Serreau, and serves as a decor for the Hero Corp series (season 1). These representations testify to its mysterious aura and its anchoring in the collective imagination.

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