Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Old Mujolan finds its roots in Roman times, near the Domitian way, a major commercial axis linking Italy to Spain. A local legend attributes his name to a certain Roman character Mujolanus who marked the region, although this hypothesis remains unverified. The excavations and archives confirm, however, that the surrounding lands already cultivated the vineyard from this period, stressing the early agricultural importance of the estate.

In the 12th century, a dungeon was erected at the edge of the Massif de la Gardiole, becoming the residence of the lords of Fabrègues for centuries. This fortified castle, typical of medieval Languedoc architecture, monitored exchanges between the plain and reliefs. Its strategic and seigneurial role made it a local political centre until the end of the Middle Ages, before gradually being transformed into an agricultural field.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the castle was acquired by Alexandre Brondel de Roquevaire, marking a turning point in its history. In 1850, her descendant Sylvie built a model farm on the wine plain, called Mas de Mante (or Domaine de Mujolan). This complex, composed of a master house, a cellar of 85 meters and stables, illustrates the adaptation of the site to the modern agricultural economy. The buildings, preserved intact since then, bear witness to this transition between feudality and rational wine-growing.

In 1900, a romantic garden was built by an English landscaper, introducing rare species (spicked, cork oak, liquidambar) alongside Mediterranean species (parasol pine, arbousier). This botanical mix reflects the influence of European picturesque gardens while sancing in the local terroir. In the same year, the estate, including the medieval tower, the former priory and the chapel Saint-Michel, was partially listed as historical monuments (1991), thus preserving a military, agricultural and landscape heritage.

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