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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Lunel-Viel, located in the department of Hérault, finds its origins in the 12th century, although no medieval text explicitly mentions its presence. At the time, the village depended on the Barony of Lunel. The oldest part of the castle was built by the family of Trémollet, lords of the place in the 17th and 18th centuries. On the eve of the Revolution, it was sold to Sieur Durand, then Mayor of Montpellier.

During the second half of the 19th century, the castle underwent a major transformation under the impetus of Paul Manse, a rich lawyer who owned the site. He added a neo-Gothic chapel and an imposing 30-metre tower, evoking a medieval dungeon. In 1876, an orange grove of Napoleon III style, remarkable for its carved decoration and slate roof, was erected in the park. This orange grove, along with the carillon of three bells dating back to 1898, were listed as historical monuments in 1990.

Since 2008, the castle has hosted the annual Festival Un piano sous les arbres, a cultural event held on the last weekend of August. The estate, partly communal property, now includes a public garden and protected elements such as orange grove. Its composite architecture reflects the eclectic influences of the 19th century, mixing medieval heritage and romantic additions.

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