Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The château d'Hauterive, located on the banks of the Thoré near Castres, was mentioned in the 13th century as property of the Montfort family, which acquired it during the crusade against the Albigois. Although his origin may be earlier, he then moved to the family of Hautpoul by marriage. The site preserves medieval remains such as archery and moat fed by a groundwater table, but its general plan has been profoundly transformed over the centuries.

In the Renaissance, the castle was modernized with the addition of large carved sill windows, while in the 17th century, the house was redesigned and flanked by two square towers. South wing, removed in the 19th century, gives way to a landscape continuity with the park. Since 1776, the castle has belonged to the family of Villeneuve, which has made architectural changes, including an armored gate.

Among the figures related to the estate, Jeanne-Émilie de Villeneuve, canonized in 2015, and Léontine de Villeneuve, known as the Occitanienne de Chateaubriand, the last love of the writer, illustrate the historical and cultural anchor of the place. The castle thus combines medieval heritage, Renaissance and 19th century transformations, and a family history marked by religious and literary personalities.

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