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Origin and history

The château d'Hauterives is a medieval building built in the 12th century by the Sire de Séverac-le-Château to protect the causse Méjean. Located on the left bank of the Tarn, it overlooks the village of Hauterives, accessible only by footpaths, ferry or cable car. Already in ruins in 1724, it bears witness to a difficult historical access, without carrossable road leading to the site.

The castle was the capital of the Viscounty of Hauterive and passed in 1508 to the family of Arpajon, through the marriage of Hugues d'Arpajon with Jeanne de Séverac. This family, already lord of Séverac-le-Château since 1385, exercised its power there until the partial destruction of the castle between 1629 and 1634. The seigneury of Arpajon was one of the twelve gentilhommières seigneuries of Gevaudan authorized to sit in the particular states of the province.

Gui I of Arpajon or his son John III were the first to bear the title of Viscount of High, according to the sources. The castle, symbol of feudal power, continued as a strategic point until its decline in the seventeenth century. Today, its remains recall the historic importance of this isolated site, marked by its defensive role and its link with the great noble families of Gevaudan.

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