Château des Fortis

Château des Fortis is a castle in Lisle-sur-Tarn with four octagonal towers and a quadrangular main building whose exterior walls feature alternating brick and pebble patterns. The central bay of the facade is defined by monumental columns with Doric capitals and an ornate entrance door in neoclassical style.

Antoine Puilaurens began construction in 1865 on his inherited wine estate, but died in 1884 before the building was completed in 1890. The structure thus took multiple decades to finish and was completed after its founder's death.

The interior spaces display careful decorative choices from the 19th century that reflect the tastes of its wealthy owners. The wall coverings and ceiling craftsmanship tell the story of artisan skills from that era.

The ground floor contains wine-making facilities with multiple vaults, while the first floor houses decorated reception rooms. Visitors should prepare for uneven floors and narrow staircases typical of buildings from this period.

The building was originally designed as a private residence combined with wine production, uniting living space and working facilities under one roof. This blend of castle and winery was both practical and a way to display wealth for affluent wine producers of the time.