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Origin and history

The castle of Farinières, located in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the Tarn, is a building whose exact origin remains unknown. Although the date of construction of the first castle is not documented, it is known that in the 18th century it belonged to the Solomiac family, a line of magistrates under the Old Regime. This first building, now missing or transformed, marks the beginning of a history linked to the local aristocracy and the judicial institutions of the time.

At the beginning of the 19th century, under the First Empire, Hercules Solomiac, heir to the family and lieutenant-colonel of artillery, commanded the construction of the present castle. Born in 1783, he enjoyed a long military career of 51 years, punctuated by campaigns and a pension granted by Louis-Philippe in 1844. This new neo-classical castle reflects both its social status and the architectural influences of its time, mixing sobriety and elegance.

The architecture of the castle of Farinières is distinguished by its rectangular plan and its two floors, decorated with side pavilions slightly lower. The facade, sober, is rhythmized by stone links, bandages and a balustrade attic. Nearby, a U-style outbuilding, built with half-timbers, adds a picturesque touch to the ensemble. These elements illustrate a desire for modernity while retaining traditional techniques, typical of 19th century aristocratic residences.

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