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Origin and history

The castle of Lastouzeilles, located in Palleville in the Tarn, is a building whose origin dates back at least to antiquity, as evidenced by Roman remains discovered on site. The name "Tuzeilles", evoking "old towers", suggests the existence of an anterior castle, possibly linked to the crusade of the Albigens. According to the current owner, the dungeon, which is now abrased at 15 metres (compared to 30 metres originally), dates from this period and would have sheltered cathars. These claims, although plausible, are based on a family oral tradition.

The present Renaissance-style house body would have been raised towards the end of the 15th century, the time of its first written mention. During the Wars of Religion (16th century), the castle changed hands several times: initially Catholic, it was taken in 1587 by the Huguenots led by the Viscount of Turenne, Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne. The Protestants used as a bastion against the troops of Duke Anne of Joyeuse, leaving a visible trace — an impact of a ball on the west facade. This troubled period was a lasting sign of its history.

After the religious conflicts, the castle was restored at the end of the sixteenth century by a Protestant lord, forced to convert after the revocation of the edict of Nantes (1685). A lintel engraved "despite me" bears witness to this forced transition. In 1806, Jean-Louis de Gouttes, captain of leatherwork under Napoleon and knight of the Legion of Honour, acquired the estate. His descendants, still owners, carried out work there in the 19th century, such as adding foothills to stabilize the walls, without altering its Renaissance appearance. The park preserves partial moat, a 19th-century bathhouse, and medieval oblivions, reminders of the right of seigneurial justice.

Partially listed as historical monuments in 1999, the castle opens its doors in summer. The tour of the park and the classified parts is free of charge, offering an overview of its mixed architecture — carpentry bricks, square towers, and truncated dungeon — as well as its role in regional history, between Albigois and Lauragais.

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