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Origin and history

The priory of Cassan, founded in 1080 thanks to a donation from the Alquier family to the canons of Béziers, became a renowned place under the direction of Prior Guiraud (1070-1123). According to St Augustine's rule, he attracted aristocratic donations and sheltered up to eighty canons. A priorial church was consecrated there in 1115, and the site became a necropolis for the regional nobility, sheltering prestigious relics like a Saint-Suaire.

In the 13th century, the priory was placed under the direct authority of Pope Innocent III, thus escaping the bishop of Béziers, and became a royal priory under Louis IX in 1268. However, the black plague and the Hundred Years War in the 14th century decimated the community, reducing the canons to forty in 1384. The wars of Religion aggravate the damage: the monastery was looted and burned in 1539 and 1563 by Protestant troops.

The decline continued until the 17th century, when only seven canons remained in 1605. In 1671 the priory was attached to the abbey of Sainte-Geneviève in Paris. In the 18th century, prior Pas de Beaulieu had the buildings rebuilt in a contemporary style, preserving only the Romanesque church of the 12th century. The French Revolution chased the last canons in 1791, and the site, sold as a national good, became the "Castle of Cassan".

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the castle served as a training centre before being restored in 1995 by Claude and Mireille Charrier. Today, it houses innovation programmes and cultural events, while remaining open to the public. The church and parts of the priory have been classified as historical monuments since 1953 and 1998.

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