Initial construction XVIIe siècle (≈ 1750)
South facade and courtyard with moat
Fin XIXe siècle
Major renovation
Major renovation Fin XIXe siècle (≈ 1995)
Redevelopment by the Count of Gironde
Début XXe siècle
Decoration of the chapel
Decoration of the chapel Début XXe siècle (≈ 2004)
Paintings ordered by Paul Pujol
19 juillet 2007
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 19 juillet 2007 (≈ 2007)
Protection of facades and interior elements
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The facades and roofs of the castle and, inside, the large living room decorated with a golden leather hanging; the south courtyard with moat, gate and garden greenhouse; the west terrace garden; the entire chapel (cf. EK 74, 75, 134, 171): registration by order of 19 July 2007
Key figures
Comte Léopold de Gironde - Owner and patron
Redesigned the castle in late 19th century
Paul Pujol - Decorative painter
Author of the chapel paintings
Origin and history
Riblaye Castle, located in Montauban, Occitanie, was built in the 17th century on the outskirts of the city. From this period remains the south facade, organized around a courtyard with moat, typical of local brick architecture. This historic vestige masks a vast house rebuilt at the end of the 19th century, profoundly transformed to house the art collections of Count Léopold of Gironde.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the count appealed to artist Paul Pujol to decorate the chapel of the castle of a painted ensemble, adding a major artistic touch to the building. The castle thus illustrates the evolution of the tastes and uses of an aristocratic residence, mixing classical heritage and modern redevelopments. Its interiors, decorated with gilded and polychrome leather hangings, testify to this desire for cultural prestige.
Ranked Historic Monument in 2007, the castle protects its facades, roofs, as well as interior elements such as the large living room and its leather hanging. The south courtyard with its moat, the gate, the garden greenhouse, the west terrace garden and the chapel (in its entirety) are also part of the preserved elements. This site embodies both local history and the adaptation of an ancient heritage to aesthetic aspirations of the 19th and 20th centuries.
