Château de Saint-Élix-le-Château, Renaissance castle in Saint-Élix-le-Château, France.
Château de Saint-Élix-le-Château is a Renaissance castle in southwestern Occitanie with architectural features typical of that period. The estate includes an orangery building, stables, protective walls, and a notable dovecote.
The castle was built between 1541 and 1548 by architect Laurent Clary for Pierre Potier, a senior official under King Francis I. It was constructed on the site of an earlier hunting lodge that had stood there.
The castle reflects how regional nobles lived during the 16th century, when the pastel trade brought considerable wealth to the area. Its rooms and outbuildings reveal the lifestyle of these prosperous families.
The property is located in a rural area of the Midi-Pyrénées region and requires travel by car to reach. Visitors should confirm in advance whether tours are available and what level of access is permitted.
The castle was among the first buildings in the area to feature a clock, a marker of technological progress during that era. This detail underscores the elevated status of its owner in the royal court.
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