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Origin and history

Brissac Castle, mentioned in 1054, is a medieval fortress built in the 11th century in the village of Brissac (Herault). Originally it belonged to the seigneury of Brissac, linked to the family of Roquefeuil, and then came under the domination of the bishops of Maguelone from 1395 onwards. Its architecture consists of two dungeons (north and south), a seigneurial aula, and a enclosure protecting nearby dwellings. When enlarged in the 13th century, it became a symbol of local power, shared among several noble lines such as the Bermond d'Anduze, whose name remains associated with the "Bermond Towers".

In 1169, the castle was mentioned in a marriage agreement between Raimond I of Roquefeuil and Guilhemette of Montpellier, sealing its attachment to the Roquefeuil until 1276. A division took place in 1189 between Raimond de Roquefeuil and Vierne de Ganges, dividing suzerainety and income. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands: sold by the bishops of Maguelone in 1590, it returned to the Roquefeuil until 1819. The southern dungeon, raised in the 14th century, and the ramparts testify to its defensive role, while its transformation into a residence in the 17th century marks its adaptation to modern usage.

Although not classified with historical monuments, the castle of Brissac illustrates the architectural evolution of the Languedoc fortresses, combining military functions (premises, dungeons) and residential ones. Its history reflects the alliances and conflicts of the noble families of Languedoc, from Roquefeuil to Bermond, through the bishops of Maguelone. The archives mention notarial acts, such as the tribute of 1395 or the transaction of 1275, revealing its legal and strategic importance in the region.

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