THE CASTLE

Dessin de J.M. AMELIN - 1822 ( Bibliothèque de Montpellier)   

   The history of the castle and this of the seigniory of Lunas are closely linked.

   The Roman street, connecting the lower Languedoc to Rouergue by the Pétafy-Pass, passed some very important geographic points, such as the places of Faugères, Boussagues and Lunas.

   This last one is formed by the northwest end of the Pioch de Lintil and the Poussel-Roux, between the brooks St-Georges and Nize, constituting a sheer of about 100 m high, with its base going along the left bank of the river Gravezon.

   This abrupt and impressive rock is known under the name of " Redondel " and represents an excellent strategic point, towering above the access to the Lodévois-region and the " Lower Lands ". For this reason, a castle was already built very early on this eagle’s nest platform, above the habitations constituting the early village, forming in their lower third a crescent.

   The place for the construction of the castle was well chosen. Inaccessible from three sides because of the rock wall, a large ditch of seven meters long and ten meters deep on the forth side, made by man’s work, only allowed the access by a drawbridge, leading directly to the plateau.

   If there is nothing left from the building, you can find in different places nearby some big pieces of wall, having been demolished, and especially note the particularity of the outside wall, following the sinuous line of the cliff.

   The history of the castle and the Lords living there, can be divided in four periods :