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Origin and history

The castrum of Cazals, attested as early as 1196 in the Treaty of Gaillon between France and England, was a strategic issue during the medieval conflicts. Initially controlled by the lords of Gourdon, he passed under English domination in 1287 after his transfer by Philippe le Bel. The site developed around three poles: the Notre-Dame de Ginolhac shrine (Xth century), the seigneurial castle, and the Montolza bastide (1319), founded by the English senechal Guillaume de Tolza.

During the crusade against the Albigeois, the castrum was confiscated by Simon de Montfort to the local families (Bonafos, War) allied to the Count of Toulouse. After the death of Montfort, Cazals became royal possession of France, then English via the Treaty of Paris (1259), before temporarily returning to the royal domain. The Hundred Years War (1355–142) saw the castrum transformed into English fort by Philippe de Jean, leaving the city in ruins at its end. Local noble families (Gourdon-Thémines, Salignac) participated in its reconstruction in the 15th century.

In the 16th century, the castrum was marked by the wars of Religion, with a growing Protestant community facing Catholic lords such as the Vielcastel. The latter, owners of the castle since 1460, modernized it thanks to matrimonial alliances (e.g. marriage with Françoise de Valon in 1544). The castle, partially destroyed, was restored by the Vielcastel, whose motto Quam vetus is castrum origo emphasizes its mysterious age. After the Revolution, he changed hands several times before being bought back in 1972, then in 2008 by a Dutch couple for his valorization.

The architecture of the castrum reflects its historical strata: a quadrangular land-full (80 m side) lined with a bastioned enclosure, a chapel of Saint Martin, and remains of seigneurial towers (Guerre, La Roque, Gourdon). The medieval town, surrounded by strong houses such as Castel-Rougié, also housed ostals (noble houses) and a Gontaud-Saint-Geniès hotel. Ranked a historic monument in 1994, the site preserves medieval masonries and Renaissance elements, witness to its military and seigneurial role.

The written sources underline its strategic importance between Quercy and Rouergue, as well as its link with the ancient Cahors-Villefranche roads. Successive conflicts (Albigois Crusade, Hundred Years' War, Wars of Religion) shaped its history, in French and English hands. The archives also mention its economic role through the fairs of the Montolza bastide, complementary to the defensive function of the castrum.

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