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Origin and history

The castle of Able, now in ruins, stands at the edge of the communes of Belvis and Joucou, in Aude. Built on a rocky pile above the Rebenty gorges, it was a military stronghold intended to house troops, probably arbalists. Its strategic role was linked to border security with Spain, as the General History of Languedoc points out. The site, which is difficult to access, retains only a few remains of this imposing building.

Before 1240, the date of the country's submission to the king of France, the castle belonged to Raymond d'Aniort, who also owned the castles of Aniort and Belvis. From 1310 Nègre's family became its owner. The lord of Able, a gunman, commanded a corps of troops and depended on a military governor to coordinate the nearby royal garrisons, such as Castelpor or Belfort.

The castle resisted the Spanish invasions but was taken and burned in 1572 by Jean de Lévis, head of the Calvinists, during the Wars of Religion. After the annexation of the Roussillon by Louis XIV, the border retreated, making the castle obsolete. Abandoned, it fell into ruins, losing its importance to the Fortress of Montlouis. Today, there are only remains of difficult access, bearing witness to his military past.

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