Château de Saint-Laurent-le-Minier

Château de Saint-Laurent-le-Minier stands on a promontory where the Crenze and Vis rivers meet, with a distinctive ship's bow shape and black glazed tile pavilions marking its structure. Gardens, an orchard, and a palm grove surround the main building across the grounds.

Construction began in 1664 when Pierre de Sarret initiated the project on the newly acquired land. The estate grew and evolved over subsequent generations to become an important regional residence.

The formal gardens surrounding this castle display French design principles that visitors can observe in their layout and structure. You notice the carefully arranged green spaces framing the building and emphasizing its position within the landscape.

Visits are guided tours that let you explore the castle, gardens, and different areas of the grounds at a relaxed pace. Plan to spend at least a few hours if you want to see everything and enjoy the surroundings.

The estate once had an ingenious water system powered by a large wooden wheel that lifted water from the nearby rivers to the higher grounds. This mechanical engineering feat operated for centuries and reflects the technical creativity of the era.