Château La Commanderie

This is a rare castle - a genuine Cathar Château that is still inhabited. It was built by Guilhem de Planh (Guilhaume de Plaigne) a key figure in the events at Avignonet in 1242 and the tragedy of Montségur 1244.

The Chateau was sold the Knights of Malta (The Knights Hospitaller or Knights of St-John) in the seventeenth century.

It has been completely refurbished as a handsome private residence set in its own grounds and available for exclusive hire. It is available for weddings and other private functions, and for business conferences.

It is located in the heart of Cathar Country in the Aude department in the Languedoc, between Carcassonne and Toulouse.

See separate sections below on:

Address / Maps / Location

History

Architecture

Weddings
Private Functions
Accommodation

Photographs

Address

Location of the Château La Commanderie

La Commanderie is in the Heart of the Cathar country in the Aude, ideally located between the Pyrenees and Mediterranean sea. It is a paradise for lovers of hiking, horse-riding, fishing, hunting, alpine and cross-country-skying.

History lovers will find this region littered with Romanesque churches.

Close to the medieval fortified town of Mirepoix and to Castelnaudary, with its world famous cassoulet, you can also discover the ruins of other Cathar castles, including Montsegur.

Just 40 minutes from La Commanderie are the medieval City of Carcassonne (a world heritage site), the chateau of Foix an the 'pink city' of Toulouse, with many cultural and tourist attractions.

Great for kids : the Forge of Pyrenees, a Prehistoric Park, Space city and many other fun and sporty activities.

There are local delights from the market of Mirepoix or Castelnaudary and the home-made foie-gras made by local producers.

Getting to the Château La Commanderie

La Commanderie is 45 minutes from the international airports of Toulouse and Carcassonne.

From Toulouse :

• A66 motorway, direction Andorra
• Exit Mazères
• Go to Belpech
• In Belpech, direction Carcassonne-Plaigne for 6 Km.

1h30 from Andorra and Spain; 1h from the Mediterranean sea.

History

History of the Château La Commanderie

La Commanderie was built in the 12th century by Guillaume de Plaigne, a Cathar Lord, who took an active role in the massacre of Avignonet and afterwards joined the besieged stronghold as a member of the garrison, along with his brother, at the famous siege of Montségur.

In the 16th century, Barthelemy de Plaigne extended the château by creating the Salle des Chevaliers. (At around the same time another branch of the de Plaigne family was building the Château de St Ferriol)

Barthelemy de Plaigne's daughter, Anne de Plaigne, married the Count de Pibrac in 1642, and sold Plaigne to François-Paul de Béon-Massès-Cazaux, head of the order of St John in Toulouse, who, in 1685, established this domain as a Commanderie of the Knights of Malta. It remained in their ownership until the French Revolution.

In the 19th century, the chateau belonged to Mr de Nicol, who modernised the building, and it remained in this family for a century, the last descent being Vilolette de Ferluc.

La Commanderie was bought in 1973 by Marie-France Gregory, the mother of the present owner. It has been completely restored and furnished in period style by this family of artists and art lovers. Rebecca Gregory will be happy to give you a private tour of her sculpture studio :

Architecture

The present castle is built around the original medieval keep-castle, incorporated into the later structure, but identifiable by the thick walls three of which are now interior walls.

The original castle was boated.

Weddings and Private Functions at the Château La Commanderie

This is a family chateau surrounded by extensive grounds, an ideal place to host your wedding or anniversary.

You can make yourself at home in the entire property and hold your event in the Salle Des Chevaliers (Knights' Hall) or in the gardens and accommodate your guests on site. That way you can continue the happy event into the next day.

You can rent this light and cheery family house for your gatherings and friends' reunions in summer or winter, for your holidays, or simply for a weekend.

You can make yourself at home in the entire property without the burden of worrying about the upkeep.

There are tables and chairs for up to 150 people.

Accommodation at the Château La Commanderie

Cocktail room : 100m², summer room and hall open on the terrace and the garden

Banquet room : noble stage : 140 m² including the Salle Des Chevalier (85 m²)

Grounds 4 hectares with pool

Sleeps 18 in 8 double bedrooms

Choice of caterer or other local supplier

Photographs of the Château La Commanderie