Visiting the castle - Château de Cas

Embark on a journey through the centuries.

Allow yourself the chance to relax with a guided tour of a place steeped in history. Just a few miles from the Gorges d’Aveyron, the Château de Cas and its gardens play an impressive role in the region’s history and is a key piece of architectural patrimony from the 13th century.

The Château de Cas is a castle situated in the commune of Espinas in the Tarn-et-Garonne region of southwest France. It was built as a defensive fortress in the 9th century on a former Gallo-Roman site. In the 13th century, it came under possession of the Commandership of La Capelle-Livron during the time of the Knights Templar.

The site was expanded in the 14th century and then again in the 17th, while the garden was added in the 18th century. At this time, it became the residence of Claude-Marie, Comte de Lastic Saint-Jal, aide-de-camp to the Duc d’Aiguillon, cavalry brigadier and governor of Carcassone. The castle was severely damaged during the Revolution and then restored at the end of the 19th century, before being damaged again in the Second World War. Restoration work was completed in the 1980s.

The building was inscribed as an important historical landmark of the region in 1984.

The tour lasts one hour, during which time you will visit 15 rooms of the Castle that reflect each historical period and learn the history of the Comtes de Lastic.

The following rooms are included in the tour: the justice room, the archives room, guest rooms, bedrooms in the style of Louis XIII, Louis XIV, Louis XVI, Empire and Napoléon III, along with the chapel, the Marriage Hall, and the Exhibition Hall, which was formerly the stables. You will also discover period furniture from the 13th century and other historical periods. You can enter the Parish Church, which is also attached to the castle, where the de Lastic Saint-Jal family’s ancestors are buried.

Extend your visit by taking in the French-style gardens and discover the three fountains and magnificent stone dovecote.