Pennautier Castle

The Château de Pennautier, an Occitan treasure

In the heart of the Languedoc region, 15 km from your campsite, the Château de Pennautier opens its doors to you. This magnificent building has been described as the “Little Versailles of Languedoc”, its classical architecture being so reminiscent of the château of the Sun King.

chateau de Pennautier — notafish, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

History of Château de Pennautier in the Aude department

It dates from the 17th century but has been altered several times.
Construction of the elegant château began in 1620. King Louis XII stayed here, donating his travel furnishings, which are still kept at the château. Pierre-Louis de Pennautier, heir to the estate, undertook major extension work in 1670, which he entrusted to the great Le Vau and Le Nôtre, architects of Versailles.
This large landowner was Treasurer of the States of Languedoc and Receiver General of the Clergy of France. He was Colbert’s most trusted advisor for the Languedoc region, and received support for the construction of the Canal du Midi and the creation of royal cloth factories in the Montagne Noire.
When he died, having no children of his own, the château passed to his nephews, the Beynaguet family, who had plans for the château. But the transformations were not completed until 1847. In the meantime, the revolution had passed through without the château suffering, as the Beynaguet family had embraced revolutionary ideas.
The château was embellished with Italian-style mosaics and an English-style park that can still be admired today.
In 1921, renovation work was carried out and the new owners, the Count and Countess de Lorgeril, undertook to extend the vineyards to make a true wine estate. Their descendants continue the family tradition to this day.

Visit the castle

You have free access to the gardens.
The park is open all year round, free of charge, from September 18 to April 29, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
But you can also opt for a guided tour of the château and the King’s bedroom on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11am.
9euros adults / 5euros children

For wine lovers
Enjoy wine tasting and sales at the Cave du Château de Pennautier (De Lorgeril vineyard).
You can also treat yourself to a meal at a château listed as a historical monument.

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