Property of the bishops of Couserans 1196 (≈ 1196)
First mention of the whole as episcopal good.
XIIIe-XIVe siècles
Construction of church and dungeon
Construction of church and dungeon XIIIe-XIVe siècles (≈ 1450)
Lower chapel and dungeon dated this period.
1569
Destruction of the Church
Destruction of the Church 1569 (≈ 1569)
Destroyed by Protestants during wars.
XVIIe siècle
Reconstruction by Bruno de Ruade
Reconstruction by Bruno de Ruade XVIIe siècle (≈ 1750)
Church and episcopal residence rebuilt with ancient stones.
XIXe siècle
Restoration of the nave and dungeon
Restoration of the nave and dungeon XIXe siècle (≈ 1865)
Major work and protection of the dungeon.
2010
Historic Monument Protection
Historic Monument Protection 2010 (≈ 2010)
Registration by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The entire parish church (Box A 2314); the bell tower says dungeon, in full (cf. A 2322); the residence of the bishops of Couserans, in full (cf. A 2318, 2320, 3219, 3220); remains of ramparts located on plots A 2309, 2310, 2320, 2321, soils of plots A 2307 to 2310, 2312, 2314, 2318, 2320, 2321, 2788 to 2791 constituting the plate of the whole included within the former enclosure and comprising the above-mentioned elements; the soils of plots A 2340, 2345, 2346, 2352, 2863 to 2865 corresponding to the right-of-way of the former garden of Bishop Bruno de Ruade, as well as the remains of the pavilion or " studiolo " located on the plot A 2345 and that the fence wall of this park: inscription by order of 9 December 2010
Key figures
Bruno de Ruade - Bishop of Couserans
Reconstructs the church and residence in the 17th century.
Origin and history
The monumental ensemble of Tourtouse was from 1196 the property of the bishops of Couserans. This medieval site includes well-preserved ramparts and a northern gate, as well as a church dating back to the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. A semi-entered low chapel, supported by carved cul-de-lampe vaults, bears witness to this period. The church, destroyed in 1569 by the Protestants, was rebuilt in the 17th century by Bishop Bruno de Ruade, with a nave restored in the 19th century.
The 14th century dungeon has remarkable interior features and was transformed into a bell tower after being protected in the 19th century. The episcopal residence, rebuilt in the seventeenth century with the stones of an ancient 12th century castle, retains French ceilings. Two large rooms and a garden, combined with a pavilion or studiolo, complete this historic ensemble.
The remains of the ramparts, the dungeon-clocher, the church and the residence of the bishops have been protected since 2010. The site thus combines defensive, religious and residential architecture, reflecting the transformations associated with religious conflicts and successive restorations. The oldest elements, such as the lower chapel, illustrate local medieval art, while subsequent reconstructions show the adaptation of the site to the needs of bishops throughout the centuries.
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