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Origin and history

The Château de Bioule, located in the village of the same name in Occitanie, was originally built by the Cardaillac family at the end of the thirteenth century, after it took possession of the lands previously owned by Moissac. This fortified castle, accompanied by a chapel, became a strategic point, as evidenced by the attacks suffered, notably that of the Black Prince in 1346, and then those of the Reformed. Its defensive architecture includes ditches, ramparts now partially disappeared, and a cylindrical tower dominated by a campanile. The main access, located under this tower, leads to an architectural complex marked by gantry openings and windows, typical of medieval and Renaissance periods.

Inside, the first floor houses the Hall of Preux, entirely decorated with 16th century wall paintings depicting the nine Preux, medieval heroic figures whose names are inscribed on banners. The attic still preserves the traces of an ancient crenelage, while the chapel, rebuilt from a Romanesque building, presents 14th century paintings illustrating scenes of Christ's life, organized on two registers in painted architecture. The dungeon, once present in the inner courtyard, was shot down in the late 19th century. Ranked a Historic Monument in 1991, the castle is now owned by the municipality of Bioule.

The site illustrates the architectural transformations and conflicts that marked southwestern France between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The ditches and proximity of the Aveyron reinforced its natural defence, while the interior decorations, such as the paintings of the chapel and the Hall of Preux, reflect the cultural and religious influence of their respective times. The destruction of the dungeon in the 19th century was evidence of subsequent changes, often related to practical needs or property changes.

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