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Key figures

Origin and history

Lafox Castle, mentioned for the first time in 1239 in a charter, is a strategic building built around 1230 to control the ford of the Séoune at its confluence with the Garonne. He then served as a grant position on the road between Languedoc and Aquitaine. Raymond VII, Count of Toulouse, donated it to Sicard Alaman in 1236 as a reward for his services during the Albige crusade. The latter received rights of justice, mills and tolls, while remaining vassal of the count. The early tower, probably dating from the 12th century, also protected the Lafox villa and a river toll.

In 1247, the widow of Arnaud de Boville transferred her property to Lafox to Sicard Alaman, consolidating her possession. At his death around 1276, conflicts broke out between his son Sicard the young, his widow Beatrix de Médulon and his sister Cecile. The king of France then investigates the ill-acquired property of Sicard Alaman. In 1280 Bertrand de Lautrec, heir to Sicard the young, took possession of Lafox and authorized Cécile Alaman and her husband to build a new castle there. The old tower, moved today 500 meters from the Garonne, was then located at the confluence.

In the 14th century, Lafox was disputed between French and English. In 1326 the English took it before the Count of Valois returned it to Béatrix de Lautrec, on condition that it was handed over to the king upon request. The conflicts persisted: in 1368 Philippe de Lévis paid tribute to the King of England for Lafox, but the seigneury then passed to Raymond de Fargues, then to the Bérard and Durfort families. The latter, notably Arnaud de Durfort (chambellan of Louis XI), transformed the castle in the 15th and 16th centuries, adding a chapel and embellishments.

Religion's wars deeply mark Lafox. Francis of Durfort, Seneschal of Agenas and opposed to Protestants, made it a Catholic bastion. The castle hosts royal figures: Charles IX in 1564, Catherine de Medici and Marguerite de Valois on several occasions between 1578 and 1579. Pilled by the Leaguers in 1589 and by Charles de Monluc in 1594, it was partially ruined. In the 17th century, Hector Regnaut de Durfort began its restoration, especially the eastern part. Joined historic monuments in 1951, it is now restored, awarded in 2002 by the Prix des Vieilles Maisons Françaises.

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