Château de Preignes-le-Vieux, château à Vias (Hérault)
The Château de Preignes-le-Vieux is a castle in Vias that rises three floors and is marked by round towers at its corners. Built from black basalt stone, it features thick walls, small windows, and defensive structures that show how it once protected the area.
The castle was built in the late 1100s to protect the area and secure territorial holdings against invaders. Over centuries, it was repeatedly modified and strengthened, particularly during the 1500s, to adapt to changing threats.
The castle's name refers to an old settlement that once stood here, and its architecture blends military design with living spaces. The different building styles from various centuries shape how the place looks and reveal changing needs of those who lived within it.
The estate includes a chapel from the 1100s, a spiral staircase tower, a forge, and a dovecote beside the main castle, all accessible on foot. The vineyard landscape with its rows of vines makes walking pleasant and helps you understand the scale of the property.
A large clock was added to the facade after the French Revolution and later moved to the roof so workers in the vineyards could see it from farther away. The clock had three small chimes that would ring, allowing workers to hear the time even when far from the castle.
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