Built on a rocky outcrop and enclosed by fortified walls, the detached complex of buildings overlooks the village's few neighbouring houses and enjoys a 360° view of the surrounding rolling countryside from each of its edifices. Sheltered from view, the property is also steeped in silence given that the secluded village is only accessible via one small road.
The adjacent buildings that compose the architectural complex surround a grassy courtyard as well as the former chapel of the “Knights’ Manor”, which became a church in the 15th century.
Although it forms a harmonious whole with stone exteriors topped with barrel tile roofs, different buildings stand out due to the masonry of their exteriors, their roofs and other architectural elements specific to the successive periods in which the property was remodelled, such as its patios or windows.
Consequently, the chateau that houses the current 330-m² dwelling distinguishes itself from the rest of the property thanks to its towers that cadence its exterior walls clad in stone and small bricks, as well as its many windows and immense patio of more than 100 m², highlighted with authentic balusters.
As for the former Knights Templars monastery, which was later used as a wine storehouse and then a residence, it is a perfect example of medieval architecture. The horseshoe-shaped building presents traces of its former functions as a fortified chateau as demonstrated by the arrow slits, loopholes and scars resulting from the multiples modifications to its exterior over the centuries. With a surface area of 450 m², it has two storeys, including the attic space, and is topped with a gabled roof bordered by a triple Genoise corbel, while its exterior walls, composed of an amalgam of unpointed massive rubble stone masonry and ashlar stone, are characteristic of medieval constructions.
Nestled next to one another, the outbuildings – former barns, stables, wine storehouse and other storerooms – are arranged between the two main buildings in such a way as to create a single edifice, which acts as the village's epicentre.
It was only recently that a tree-filled landscaped piece of land below the village was annexed to the property. Today, sheltered from view, it includes a swimming pool and pool house in need of a bit of refreshing.

The Dwelling Built in the 18th-century Remodelled Wings

With two storeys built out of rubble stone and briquette masonry, which are then accentuated with ashlar stone quoins and window and door surrounds, the dwelling of approximately 330 m² is composed of two central buildings arranged in an L shape. The southwest wing, flanked by a square bartizan and a patio, has many windows placed at regular intervals, while, adjacent to the bell tower and designated a chateau at the end of the 18th century, the second wing is bordered by a vast patio protected by balustrades built on top of a high defensive wall. At the intersection of the two wings, a square keep, built in the 11th century out of limestone rubble stone masonry, stands at half of its initial height.
Three entrances provide access to the building enclosure. The main entrance can be reached via a tall stone staircase accessible from the road. The two others, at ground level, are accessible via a covered gateway and a lean-to, which protects the church’s entrance.

The ground floor
From a double flight of stone steps, a heavy wooden door topped with a glazed arched fanlight opens onto an entrance hall and a door to the first patio shaded by a climbing vine and where an outdoor shower was created in order to cool off in the summer months.
Behind the glass double doors dating from the 19th century, the vestibule displays a flagrant contrast with the building’s exterior appearance, while the entrance hall, which has a remarkable double quarter-turn wooden staircase with a half-floor landing, leads to the living and reception rooms.
On the right, a spacious fitted kitchen has a range cooker and a marble countertop and is decorated with an imposing fireplace with wooden mantel. A glass door opens onto an interior garden, while another communicates with an alcove converted into a cloakroom, as well as with the outbuilding that houses a laundry room and a workshop, also with exterior access. In addition, a wide wooden staircase provides access to the first garage.
Back in the vestibule, glass doors lead to the dining room, which faces the panoramic patio of 100 m², revealing an exceptional view of the surrounding countryside. This room is characterised by a monumental stone fireplace with an arched lintel, an alcove with a vaulted ceiling, exposed stone walls, a ceiling with whitewashed exposed beams and terracotta floor tiles.
In the living room, only a few steps away, a black marble fireplace is topped with a mirrored chimneybreast decorated with elegant floral moulding, while small-pane windows and wainscoting compose the interior décor, which is suffused with 18th-century conventions.
Lastly, the tower’s stone walls, which are nearly 1.5 metres thick, house a library decorated in the pastel blue of Lectoure.
The upstairs
This floor, completely insulated less than a year ago after the roof was restored, includes two separate sleeping quarters. After an initial flight of stairs integrated into the curvature of a wall, a landing leads to a bathroom in the turret, as if it was suspended in the sky. As for the main bedroom in pale tones, it is located behind a second door on the half-floor landing. Like a miniature apartment, it is composed of a living room with hardwood floors and decorated with a stucco fireplace, mirrored chimneybreast and an alcove, while another bedroom is hidden behind a secret door created in a cupboard.
At the end of a long hallway, with original wide-plank hardwood floors, a window draws the eye and gives the feeling of being perched up high in an eagle’s nest, while a second bedroom, across from a shower room, faces south.
In addition, another large bedroom with meticulous décor is located at the end of the landing. Comfortable in size, it has a wide view of the horizon, while the terracotta floor tiles, pointed stone walls and the claw-foot bathtub contrast with the glass wall of the vast walk-in shower.
The fourth and last bedroom, located in the medieval tower with its own shower room, has a theatrical feel to it, thanks to its architectural singularity: an interior glass ceiling provides views of a remarkable ancient vault, which gives the room an undeniably unique ambiance. From this level, a narrow and discreet staircase makes it possible to access the attic space and rooftop terrace of the former keep.

The Commandery

A fortified chateau, the headquarters of a Knights Templar Commandery, first affiliated with Nomdieu – a village located 40 kilometres away where the Commandery of the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem was founded in 1152 – and then the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the current constructions were erected around the fortress in order to form the village in the 15th century. It was at this time that the Saint Peter chapel, abutting the chateau’s northeastern side, became a parish church. As of 1254, the chateau was, in turns, the property of many illustrious lords, including, Aimard du Bouzet in 1254, the viscounts of Lomagne, the counts of Armagnac and even the King of France Philippe le Bel. Saved from the Revolution by Jean-Louis Laclaverie, it was then owned, until 1847, by Théodore Belloc de Labrousse the mayor of Lachapelle who initiated major works in the village.

The ground floor
Located to the north, it communicates with the garage of the adjacent building to the southwest via a high vaulted corridor. Except for the last room, which is used as a garage, it has a beaten earth floor throughout, while double doors open onto a street in the upper part of the village, giving the building an independent entrance.
The upstairs
Accessible via a few stone steps from the courtyard, this level has terracotta floors and an ancient fireplace in the centre of the room, while, the vestiges of a dovecote are located right next door. Without water or electricity, the building requires significant interior renovations throughout.
The attic
With a roof ridge height of 4 metres, this level has hardwood floors and extends along the building’s entire length under a remarkable wooden framework.

The Outbuildings

The workshop
With an authentic framework of beams and a consequential roof ridge height, as well as exposed stone walls that are not currently insulated, the workshop could easily be used to expand the main dwelling. In addition, an enclosed and insulated space houses the dwelling’s furnace, while a perfectly functional laundry room is accessible from the coatroom that abuts the kitchen. The latter also has direct access to the garage located below via a quarter turn staircase, as well as the garden, via the workshop.
The stable
Located on the street level, with a floor surface area of 80 m², it contains two levels under an inclined roof built against the rock and communicates with the upstairs floor of the second garage on the property located in the building’s extension. This edifice, with notable architectural elements like the ashlar stone arch that frames the front door and burnished ochre exteriors, will require some restoration work depending on its future use.
The garage
Adjacent to the ramparts, an initial two-storey building stands on the corner of the street that surrounds the former chateau, while new buttresses were built behind it in order to reinforce the defensive wall that supports the chateau's patio. With a concrete slab floor and accessible via tall wooden doors topped with lintels, the 70-m² garage has a roof that was completely redone 15 years ago as well as a recent and insulated intermediate floor.
With direct access from the dwelling, a second garage is located under the chateau’s laundry rooms, while a third double door, located on the northern side of the commandery, provides access to the ground floor as well as a space for vehicle parking.