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Origin and history

The Fort Castle, also known as Lafenasse Castle or Corneillan Castle, is a defensive building built in the 11th century to protect the banks of the Dadou River and the strategic passage between the Viscounts of Lautrec and Paulin. It is probably linked from its origin to the Viscounts of Lautrec, a powerful family in the region. The village of Lafenasse develops under its protection, accessible by a wooden bridge.

During the Hundred Years War, in the 14th century, the castle was occupied by Captain Joachim de Roant and his lieutenant Louis Sorbier. Later, during the Wars of Religion (16th-17th centuries), it became an issue between Catholics and Protestants. In 1628, he was partially dismantled by order of Baron of Lescure and Bishop of Albi, Alphonse II of Elbène, to prevent his use by Protestant troops.

The reconstruction of the castle is a debate: some texts attribute the works to the family Vareilhes du Réclot, enemies of the Lautrec, while others refer to the family of Lafon. In the 19th century, Doctor Lespinasse rebuilt it entirely in a troubadour Gothic style. The castle then passed to the families of Corneillan and Laissardière in 1948.

Architecturally, the castle consists of a square house body flanked by two symmetrical towers, with triangular pediments and false mâchicoulis. It overlooks the Dadou, separated from the village of Lafenasse by Pont Vieux, built in 1607.

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