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Origin and history

The Castle of Reyniès, located in Tarn-et-Garonne in Occitanie, is a monument whose origins date back to the thirteenth century, with major reconstructions in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The site originally belonged to the Bruniquel family in the Middle Ages, before moving to the Latours in the Renaissance. The primitive castle, destroyed by the Duke of Vendôme after 1622, was rebuilt on its former foundations, mixing feudal appearance (three towers) and Louis XIII style, with subsequent reshuffles in the 18th century. This architectural evolution is illustrated by the stonework of the stone bricks and the Gothic chapel partially renovated in the 19th century.

Between 1695 and 1706, a conflict between the family of Reyniès and the consuls of Lavaur over the purchase of land, settled by the court of Montauban. This dispute preceded the construction of the present castle, which later became a summer residence for the bishops of Lavaur according to certain sources, although this theory was contested by historian Philippe Cros. The latter claims that the property remained in the Reyniès until the 19th century, attributing confusion to a long stay of a grand vicar in the house. The castle, inscribed in the historical monuments in 1974 for its facades and roofs, was restored from 1984 by its present owners, anxious to restore its brilliance to it.

A classic architecture, the castle presents itself in a rectangular shape facing east-west, with an outgrowth on the eastern floor and traces suggesting an original symmetry not completed. Two cornices frame the building, while a two-span chapel is integrated west side. The access is made by two opposite doors, topped by perrons, leading to a main room decorated with a French ceiling and a remarkable fireplace. These elements reflect both its residential use and its status as a seigneurial symbol in the region.

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