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Origin and history

Poussan-le-Haut Castle is a 4th quarter-century building built for the family of Nattes de Montpellier. From a square plane, it consists of four bodies of buildings surrounding a central courtyard, with pavilions at corners. Its monumental entrance, marked by an ionic pilaster porch and a vaulted passage in basket handle, gives access to an inner courtyard preceded to the east by a "Lion Court". The north wing, soberly decorated with masks on the cornice, opens onto a park and rises by a high pole. Originally, the interior did not retain any ancient decoration.

The castle was mentioned in 1370 through Guillaume de Narbonne, a military chief named among the lieutenants of Bertrand Du Guesclin in the army of the Duke of Anjou. This ancient reference contrasts with the late construction of the current building, suggesting a noble occupation of the site over centuries. The facades and roofs of the north and east wings, as well as the entrance gate, were listed as historical monuments on 31 October 1975, thus protecting part of its architectural heritage.

Architecturally, the castle illustrates the late classical style, with elements such as colossal pilasters, circular pediment and symmetry of pavilions. The "Lion Court", although its name evokes a missing or symbolic decoration, reinforces the prestigious character of the ensemble. The site, Cadastre KZ 37, is located at the approximate address of the 2374 Route from Lespignan to Béziers, in an environment that is now partly urbanized but retains traces of its original park.

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