Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Crins Castle, built in Graulhet (Tarn, Occitanie), was built in 1585 by Louis d'Amboise d'Aubijoux as a country house. During the Wars of Religion, he was abandoned to avoid welcoming Henry of Navarre, future Henry IV, to the region. This castle became a place of refuge and creation, especially for Molière, protected by François-Jacques d'Amboise between 1647 and 1656.

In 1696, the Crussol family acquired the castle and the deep remodeling: two facades were redone, a terrace was added over vaulted cellars, and a park of 300 murres was planted. Two wings are also built. The French Revolution marks a turning point: the castle, declared national, is sold to a local merchant with its mill and the castle of Lézignac.

During the Second World War, the castle of Crins served as a refuge for the nuns of Saint-Maur. Since 1972, it has been home to an elementary school, incorporating original architectural elements such as a chapel and a spiral staircase. The murre park, now extinct, was once a testament to its history.

The history of the castle was also marked by cultural figures: François-Jacques d'Amboise, lieutenant-general of Languedoc and friend of Molière, died there in 1656. Molière stayed there for ten years, performing in the region before returning to Paris, where he will know the glory. These links illustrate the role of the castle as a place of protection and artistic inspiration.

External links