Who built this castle and why?

The castle was built after 1321 for the bishops of Alet, temporal masters of Cournanel's lands following the division of the Benedictine abbey's domains between the bishop and the chapter.

What remains to see today?

The two western curtain walls, the fortified gate with its two square towers, the southern and eastern towers, and several gun positions constitute the main preserved elements.

Why is the castle so ruined?

Interior buildings have all disappeared except for one small structure, and the northeastern section has collapsed; only the external defenses, towers and curtain walls, have withstood time.

Cournanel Castle

Cournanel

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Cournanel

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

Château des évêques d'Alet stands in Cournanel (Aude), in the Occitanie region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: first quarter of the 14th century). The building is privately owned and no visits are on record.

Built in the early 14th century for the bishops of Alet, this fortified castle overlooks Cournanel with an octagonal plan defended by four square towers. Largely ruined today, it retains its entrance gate protected by two towers connected by arches, its western and southern curtain walls, and the southern tower, the site's highest surviving structure.

What to know

The remains are largely exposed and heavily damaged, particularly the northeastern section which has collapsed.
The visit allows observation of the castle's defensive organization, particularly the system of arrow slits and barrel vaults designed to trap an enemy who had breached the gate.
Only exterior walls and certain towers remain, as interior buildings have disappeared except for a small structure near the western entrance.
The site retains few traces from the 12th century; visible constructions date from the 14th century or later, particularly the episcopal residence partially rebuilt in the late 16th century.

Where this château is

Cournanel · Aude · Occitanie

Map of the area around Château des évêques d'Alet

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

72 Le Village, 11300 Cournanel

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

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Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00102663
Period of construction: first quarter of the 14th century

Itineraries

The royal fortresses of Languedoc in 3 days

Frequently asked

Who built this castle and why?: The castle was built after 1321 for the bishops of Alet, temporal masters of Cournanel's lands following the division of the Benedictine abbey's domains between the bishop and the chapter.
What remains to see today?: The two western curtain walls, the fortified gate with its two square towers, the southern and eastern towers, and several gun positions constitute the main preserved elements.
Why is the castle so ruined?: Interior buildings have all disappeared except for one small structure, and the northeastern section has collapsed; only the external defenses, towers and curtain walls, have withstood time.