The Château de Laréole
The Château de Laréole, a jewel of the Renaissance, is next to Cadours, home of purple garlic, and 42 kilometres north-west of Toulouse.
The Château de Laréole – a jewel of the Renaissance with a 20-hectare garden « à la Française »
The Château de Laréole, a jewel of the Renaissance, is next to Cadours, home of purple garlic, and 42 kilometres north-west of Toulouse. Its defining feature is its polychrome stonework : the exterior is built of alternate rows of white stonework and red brick to beautiful effect. In 1579 the architect Dominique Bachelier was commissioned to build the Château de Laréole for Pierre de Cheverny, an important woad merchant and person of distinction.
Laréole was built in the shape of a large square protected by four bastion towers. Large brick ditches accentuate its defensive character, essential during this period of the Wars of Religion. The main building is an example of a new architectural style of the period, illustrating Cheverny’s expensive taste, with a modern lay-out combining a large reception hall and apartments.
At the foot of the Renaissance castle are 20 hectares of gardens « à la Française » : a lawn bordered with box hedges, a series of terraces, lime tree walks. The decor is enhanced by twenty species of fruit tree and flower meadows. The gardens were laid out during the 18th century by the Colomès family who drew their inspiration from recommendations by Le Nôtre : broad perspectives, planted flower beds, lawned terraces and wooded masses.
Since 1984, the listed building has been owned by the Conseil Départemental de la Haute-Garonne who have totally renovated it. Since 2006 it has been the venue for summer exhibitions of contemporary art.
How to visit the Château de Laréole
The château and grounds are open to visitors free-of-charge in May and June (Wednesdays, weekends, long weekends and public holidays), in July and August (every day) in September (weekends) with or without a guided tour (4 or 5 guided tours take place per day).
There is a full and varied programme of cultural events at weekends in summer : music, drama, dance and circus performances inside and outside the chateau.
Opposite the château, there is an information centre, bookshop and a tea room serving light snacks with a shaded terrace to sit and soak up the atmosphere of this wonderful place.
« I’m Margot, I’m 14, and today I’m really happy because I’m going to have Mum and my Granny from Toulouse all to myself (my sister is playing handball) ! The programme for the day : the Château de Laréole. After a 40 minute journey from Toulouse, here we are at the château. The car park is indicated by a sign opposite the castle entrance : impossible to get lost… We’re welcomed by a lime tree walk and perfectly mown lawn. The castle gradually appears in all its simplicity. It’s a real feast for the eyes. We follow a sign marked “Accueil” on the left and are met with a big smile by Régis, his badge tells us he’s a “Guide Conférencier” (tour guide). We follow him and as we walk towards the castle he explains to us that it’s a cultural centre where exhibitions and shows are held during the summer. There is something for everyone, children and grown-ups and Granny can even treat us to ice creams at the tea room… We’d better come again with my sister Charlotte... »"
