Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, Château de Roussillon originally featured eight towers, three residential wings, a chapel, and a cloister. It was both a fortress and a pleasure residence. The current fortress likely stands on even older foundations dating back to the 8th century, when Roussillon is believed to have been a stronghold of Duke Waïffre of Aquitaine during his conflict with Pepin the Short.
In the 13th century, this medieval château belonged to the Roussillon family, from whom it takes its name. In old documents, the name sometimes appears as “Roussilhe,” and may also derive from “terre brûlée” (“scorched earth”), possibly referring to the dry, rugged terrain of the Causses region.
During the Second Hundred Years’ War in the 14th century, Lord Raymond d’Antéjac, then seigneur of Roussillon, pledged allegiance to the King of England and opened the château to English forces in 1355.
In the 16th century, Roussillon became a Protestant stronghold. Its lords embraced the Reformation during the Wars of Religion that divided France at the time.
In 1632, Jean III de Gontaud-d’Oriolle welcomed King Louis XIII, who stopped at Roussillon for lunch on his return from Toulouse. The king dined in the château’s current main reception hall, later known as the “Chambre de Madame.”
By 1728, Antoine-François de Gontaud-Cabrerets, who preferred his other residence at Château de Cabrerets, leased out Roussillon. The grand reception room was partitioned into three separate rooms to house tenant farmers. Abandoned by its seigneurs, Roussillon fell into decline.
Though the château itself had fallen into ruin, the surrounding lands remained valuable. The hilltop on which the old fortress stands was covered in vineyards. A document from 1766 notes that the estate produced “table wine and dark wine for export” and emphasized that “Roussillon wine is of far superior quality to that of Cabrerets.”
During the French Revolution, Roussillon was spared from destruction, having ceased to symbolize noble power. However, in the early 19th century, the decline accelerated when the heirs of Marshal de Gontaud-Biron sold the estate to their steward. He systematically dismantled the structure and sold the stones for use in constructing nearby village homes.
In 1958, the Mailhol family purchased Roussillon and began a massive restoration effort. At the time, the château was buried in rubble up to the first—and sometimes even the second—floor, making its original structure barely recognizable. Extensive work was carried out to restore three towers, two main wings, and the Chambre de Madame, which once again reclaimed its former glory.
Jean-François Mailhol worked tirelessly to breathe life back into the château, opening it to private events such as weddings and celebrations, allowing guests to experience the beauty and unique ambiance of Roussillon.
It was during one of these events that Charlie and Julien Peignart discovered the château and fell in love with it. They were married there in 2019. Two years later, in 2021, Jean-François shared his wish to pass the torch. In January 2023, Charlie, Julien, and their son Marcel left Paris and moved to Roussillon, committed to continuing the story and preserving the legacy of the Mailhol family.
