Built between the 16th and 17th centuries, one of the chateau’s wings was then reconstructed in the 19th century in order to maintain the dwelling’s overall symmetry. Listed as a regional historical monument, it occupies an important role in local history: this was the birthplace of Jean-François de Galaup in 1741, Count of Lapérouse and a famous navigator and explorer, who spent his childhood here, while the dwelling’s interiors have remained, for the most part, identical to their 18th-century appearance.
Accessible via a metal gate, which opens on to a tree-lined lane that leads to the chateau’s courtyard, the property features a patio that skirts the edifice and overlooks the nearby meadows that gently descend towards the Tarn, the latter of which can be glimpsed between the trees. Below, a swimming pool blends in seamlessly with the property’s rolling topography, while a former nymphaeum, most likely created in the 19th century and supplied with water via a natural spring, is located off to one side.
The latter, immersed in vegetation, represents a one-of-a-kind feature on the property and could be renovated, whereas the grounds, of approximately 3.8 hectares, surround the garden with a landscaped and verdant setting, with tall trees and ornamental plants. As for the open pastureland, they alternate with more wooded areas, creating views of the river and complementing the panoramas from the chateau’s patio and interiors, while the whole is nestled within a harmonious landscape where the dwelling’s architecture creates a subtle back-and-forth with its environment.

The Chateau

A late-Renaissance dwelling, it is laid out around a U-shaped courtyard, enclosed on its fourth side by a low wall accessible via a carriage entrance. Although mostly preserved in its original state, the dwelling is cadenced by several doors, added later and topped with ogees, as well as cross-windows, while the entire dwelling was designed with a bucolic and symmetrical architectural vocabulary, based on that of a noble country home.
As for its layout, it appears more reminiscent of a private city mansion than that of a dwelling in the countryside. Built out of flat local bricks, the chateau therefore resembles the kind of aristocratic dwelling found in Renaissance-era Toulouse, only this time shifted to the banks of the Tarn, whereas the courtyard, facing east, highlights the building’s chronology: the west and oldest wing housing the spiral staircase; the 17th-century southern wing; and the northern wing, which was resumed in the 19th century.
In addition, behind the carriage entrance, the chateau’s exteriors, cadenced by ashlar stone cross-windows, surround its central pebble courtyard, while its front door, topped with a finely carved ogee, is instantly recognisable and provides a stately entrance to this noble residence.

The ground floor
The chateau’s front door opens on to a 17th-century wooden spiral staircase, an eye-catching feature that represents one of the chateau’s major elements, while a landing provides access to a patio as well as its two wings: the southern wing is accessible via an immense corridor, with both a lavatory and direct access to the courtyard, which leads to a space that includes both the living room and dining room, topped with thick moulded ceiling beams.
As for the upstairs level’s ancient wooden floorboards, they are supported by the ceiling’s joists, whereas an immense brick fireplace, in which a wood-burning stove has been installed, structures the room, bathed in light thanks to its triple exposure. In addition, a large kitchen, recently updated with more contemporary features, echoes the edifice’s spacious volumes, and gives on to both the courtyard and patio.
Venturing on to the northern wing, an initial bedroom, with its own bathroom, updated with a contemporary look and featuring both a bathtub and a shower, as well as a wardrobe towards the back, is topped with ceiling beams identical to the ones found in the living room, while wide windows look out to the west over the patio and to the north over the garden. It should be noted that the entire ground floor represents the owners’ private living quarters, whereas the upstairs are dedicated to tourist accommodations.
The upstairs
Upstairs, in the northern wing, a wide hallway leads to a bedroom, facing west and abutting a shower room, which is dedicated to the chateau’s one-time illustrious occupant, Lapérouse. Featuring a fireplace with a wooden mantel topped with a delicately ornate mirror, the ceiling is decorated with a painted medallion, while the floor is clad in terracotta tiles.
In addition, a second bedroom, also in the northern wing, includes a contemporary shower room and communicates with a walkway overlooking the carriage entrance and providing views of both the courtyard and drive.
As for the southern wing, a hallway first provides access to a linen cupboard, followed by a sitting room reserved for guests. Topped with breath-taking ceiling beams, this room boasts a fireplace crowned with a wooden mantel as well as a mirror, while its windows look out over the courtyard and garden from three different directions and provide constant natural light for this space.
Last, but not least, the sitting room communicates with another bedroom and a shower room, both with terracotta floor tiles and visible ceiling beams.
The attic
In the northern wing and convertible, this level is accessible via a spiral staircase, while its wooden rafters, with trusses and raised tie beams, make it possible to easily move about this space.
The basement
In the lower section of the northern wing, a brick staircase leads to the cellars, made up of two adjacent vaulted brick rooms with beaten earth floors, while the chateau’s heating system is located in the second of the two rooms.