Where is the Château d'Arifat located?

It stands in the hamlet of Saint-Hippolyte-de-Lagriffoul, within the commune of Castres, in the Tarn department.

When was the Château d'Arifat built?

It dates back to the 11th century, when it was used to watch over the approach to Castres.

Why was the Château d'Arifat rebuilt?

It was burned down in 1574 during the Wars of Religion and rebuilt from 1577 by Guillaume de Génibrousse in a less fortified style.

Does the château still look like a fortress?

Not really, since the 16th-century rebuilding favoured comfortable living quarters, though some gun ports remain alongside mullioned windows.

Château d'Arifat

Arifat Castle

Castres

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Castres

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Château de Ferrières (Ferrières Castle)European Heritage Days; by request during the summer season15 km

Sleep nearby

Château d'Arifat stands in Castres (Tarn), in the Occitanie region of France. No visits are on record for this building.

The Château d'Arifat stands in the hamlet of Saint-Hippolyte-de-Lagriffoul, on the heights overlooking the entrance to Castres. Built in the 11th century to watch over the Durenque valley, it was burned down in 1574 and rebuilt a few years later with a more peaceful, residential character. Visitors today can see a long classical façade, a terrace opening onto the landscape and a garden, while gun ports mixed with mullioned windows recall its earlier military role.

Written from Château d'Arifat (Castres)

What to know

The château sits in a hamlet outside central Castres, on a rise overlooking the valley.
The present façade dates from the rebuilding after the 1574 fire and follows a classical style without towers or curtain walls.
A terrace and a garden accompany the building, offering an open view over the surrounding valley.
Some older openings, combining gun ports and mullioned windows, still recall the original defensive purpose.

Where this château is

Castres · Tarn · Occitanie

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Castres, Tarn

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

Get directions View on a map

Heritage status: Protection status unknown

In pictures

Frequently asked

Where is the Château d'Arifat located?: It stands in the hamlet of Saint-Hippolyte-de-Lagriffoul, within the commune of Castres, in the Tarn department.
When was the Château d'Arifat built?: It dates back to the 11th century, when it was used to watch over the approach to Castres.
Why was the Château d'Arifat rebuilt?: It was burned down in 1574 during the Wars of Religion and rebuilt from 1577 by Guillaume de Génibrousse in a less fortified style.
Does the château still look like a fortress?: Not really, since the 16th-century rebuilding favoured comfortable living quarters, though some gun ports remain alongside mullioned windows.