Saint-Papoul : Ferrals castle

The name of Ferrals appeared for the first time in 1213, associated with the counts of Toulouse. It became the property of the Abbey of Saint-Papoul during the Albigensian crusade, until the 13th century. The Château Neuf would have been founded by François Ier de Rogier, who owned it in the 16th century. Its construction was underway in 1565. The architect could be Geoffre Jearoy or Jearry, from Ferralls. The remains of the castle dating from the 14th and 15th centuries are visible at the end of a path in the park (a tower of Queen Marguerite, square on the ground floor and round on the first floor). The fortress is surrounded by ditches and flanked by slots. It has six laps, three to the east and three to the west. In the south, the main entrance is surrounded by two round turrets fitted with loopholes, preceded by a bridge. A staircase descends to kitchens, stores, vaulted cellars and underground passages. The arrangement of apartments is contemporary. The tower in the northwest houses a chapel.