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Origin and history

Nizas Castle is a building dating from the late 16th or early 17th century. It consists of a main body and two wings, forming a U-shaped plane around an inner courtyard. Originally, it was probably flanked by four corner towers, of which only two remain today, framing the north facade. The latter features a full arched entrance door, decorated with columns and carved pediment, typical of late Renaissance architecture.

Modern amenities have partially altered the bays on the ground floor and the first floor, but some 17th century openings, such as the cross windows on the west facade, are still visible. The interior was largely redesigned in the 19th century, with the exception of the stairwell and the old kitchen, which retain original elements. The facade is marked by a forebody with terrace, added during these transformations.

The castle has been partially protected under the Historical Monuments since 1980, especially for its Renaissance gate, its right-hand staircase and its vaulted cage. Today, a private property, it illustrates the architectural evolution of a seigneurial residence between the Renaissance and the 19th century, mixing defensive and residential elements.

The exact location of the castle is subject to inaccuracies, with an approximate address suggesting the neighbouring village of Peret. However, official sources, such as the Merimée base, place it well in Nizas, in the department of the Hérault, in the Occitanie region. Its state of conservation and successive transformations reflect the adaptation of a noble building to the changing needs of its occupants.

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