Château de Triadou: A Historic Castle in Peyreleau, France
Visitor Information
Google Rating: 5
Popularity: Very Low
Country: France
Civilization: Early Modern, Medieval European
Site type: Military
Remains: Castle
History
The Château de Triadou is situated in the town of Peyreleau, France. Its origins trace back to medieval times when it was constructed by a local noble family from the French feudal society.
The site originally hosted an 11th-century fortress belonging to the monks from the Abbey of Aniane. This earlier stronghold’s earthworks partly survive today, indicating its strategic position overlooking the surrounding landscape near the confluence of two rivers. In the 15th century, this original fortress was dismantled, and its stones were reused to build the present château, marking a transition from a military fortress to a noble residence.
Construction of the current castle began in 1470 under Pierre II d’Albignac, the lord of Triadou, who moved into the newly built structure in 1479 along with his wife Flore de Capluc. The Albignac family had previously resided at the Château de Mostuéjouls before establishing themselves at Triadou. Upon the death of Guillaume de Capluc in 1510, the property passed through inheritance to Flore de Capluc, merging it firmly into the Albignac holdings due to her brother Louis’s entry into the clergy.
In the mid-16th century, Pierre III d’Albignac planned to significantly expand the château and the family estate. However, lacking funds, he seized a wartime opportunity by ambushing a Protestant force led by Captain Arnaud de Méjanès, capturing their treasure. Part of this treasure was concealed within the château, yet Pierre III died without revealing its hiding place, giving rise to a continuing local legend about a hidden treasure.
Simon d’Albignac, Pierre III’s son, used the wealth from this captured treasure to extend the family holdings. In 1607, he purchased additional lands, including Capluc and Veyreau, with Peyreleau becoming the center of a considerable domaine or estate under his ownership.
François I d’Albignac, Simon’s son, contributed further to the château’s development in 1669, adding several outbuildings known in French as communs, an octagonal chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and a substantial square tower adjoining the main residence. His marriage alliances also brought the barony of Castelnau into the family’s possession, increasing their regional influence.
The story of the hidden treasure continued through the 18th century until the upheavals of the French Revolution. Philippe-François d’Albignac de Castelnau, the last Albignac lord to live in the château, also served as bishop of Angoulême and was a deputy at the Estates General in 1789. Due to his opposition to revolutionary reforms affecting the Church, he fled to England in 1792.
In 1791, during the revolutionary period, a militia sent by local authorities from the nearby town of Millau raided the château. Beneath the grand staircase, they uncovered two lead chests filled with gold and silver coins. While authorities accused Philippe-François of leading brigands as a justification for confiscating the treasure, this claim was likely a pretext to seize the valuable contents.
After confiscation, the château was taken over by the local commune and repurposed as Peyreleau’s town hall, a role it served until 1893. Recognized for its historical importance, Château de Triadou was listed as a historic monument on May 12, 1944. Today, the property remains privately owned and divided among several owners.
Remains
The Château de Triadou stands on the western edge of Peyreleau, near where the Tarn and Jonte rivers meet, occupying the grounds of the former medieval fortress. Constructed largely of local stone, the château incorporates remnants of the 11th-century fortress within its foundations, preserving part of the earthworks laid down centuries earlier.
The original fortress was dismantled in the 15th century, and its stones served as building material for the new castle built beginning in 1470. This reuse of older masonry connects the château directly with its medieval predecessor.
In 1669, the château was expanded with additions commissioned by François I d’Albignac. These included several outbuildings known as communs, which would have functioned as service or agricultural spaces supporting the main residence. An octagonal chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary was also constructed, standing as a distinct religious element attached to the estate. Alongside the chapel, a large square tower was added, joining the main château structure and contributing to its imposing silhouette.
One of the château’s notable interior features is the grand staircase beneath which two lead chests were discovered during an 18th-century militia raid. These contained a significant hoard of gold and silver coins, connecting the physical architecture with the long-lived legend of a hidden treasure belonging to the Albignac family.
Today, the château retains the chapel and the square tower, both housing features from the 17th-century expansions. The stone walls and layout still reflect the blend of medieval fortification foundations and later residential enhancements. Surrounding the château, an ornamental garden adds to the historic setting.
While no detailed description of other decorative elements survives, the château’s preservation as a recognized historic monument confirms its architectural and cultural significance. Though now divided among private owners, it remains an enduring link to Peyreleau’s feudal past and the Albignac family’s centuries-long presence.
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