Montaud-vue-du-ciel-02-©Ch.RuizMontpellier3m-2016.jpg
©Christophe RUIZ 3M
Montaud
  1. Home
  2. Discover
  3. A thousand years of history
  4. The cities of Montpellier Méditerranée Metropolis
  5. Montaud

Montaud

20 kms north of Montpellier, dominated by the remains of the imposing Montlaur castle (11th century), Montaud is a wine maker’s village located north east of the Metropolis. Some twenty producers are grouped in a cooperative and share 300 hectares of vineyards.

montaud-vignes-paysage-metropole.jpg
©CH Ruiz 3M

    A bit of History

    With its beautiful ancient stone buildings, its 11th century church and its numerous period wells, the historical centre of the village is charming.

    The surroundings too. To be discovered while strolling on the municipality marked trails.

    Let’s start with the ridges trail which offers breathtaking panoramas over the plains and the coastline. The Serre-Rond trail takes the hikers to the peak of the same name.

    Did you know?

    The Montlaur family have owned the castle of the same name since it was built in the 11th century. This Languedoc family is closely linked to the history of the region by its involvement in the crusades, the building of the cathedral of Maguelone, the trial of the Knights Templar…

    The surrounding area

    To be discovered during a walk on one of the marked out paths of the commune: the path of the crests which offers seizing panoramas on the plain and the littoral and the path of Serre-Rond leads the walkers to discover the top of the same name, between Saint-Drezery and Montaud.

    The castle of Montlaur

    Important : The Château de Montlaur is a private property and the surroundings are dangerous.Access to the site is forbidden, as indicated by the signs posted at all the entrances to the site. For all requests to visit the site, contact the Montaud Patrimoine association, which manages the site: chateaudemontlaur@gmail.com

    A castle at the centre of the Wars of Religion in Montaud

    This is the story of a Catholic castle in Protestant country. Magical and romantic, the castle of Montlaur, in Montaud, on the edge of the village on a fortified terrace, is still well preserved despite its ruins.

    Today the castle is the private property of Hervé de Villardi de Montlaur and is listed as a Historic Monument and managed by the Montaud Patrimoine association. Numerous consolidation and safety works have been carried out to restore the building to some of its former glory.

    On an area of nearly two hectares, the site reveals its walls, the annex buildings and the castle built in the shape of an irregular pentagon.

    From the 11th century war fortress built by Bernard de Montlaur to the residential castle of the early 16th century, the diversity of periods represented here does not fail to surprise. A Renaissance facade with beautiful sculpted door frames, a main building, two towers and a castral chapel still intact, a large stone staircase, Madame’s bedroom and the reception room, provide an opportunity to play with the dates of medieval constructions and 16th century additions to transform the castle into a seigneurial residence.

    The castle, one of the oldest in the Bas Languedoc, is also a testimony to the power of the lords of Montlaur, who notably gave two bishops to the cathedral of Maguelone. From the promontory, an exceptional panorama extends from the Cévennes to the sea.

    Chateau-de-Montlaur-Montaud-ruines-vertical.jpg
    ©OT3M

      Learn more

      Close