Charlemagne, on his way to the Pyrenees with Roland, built the first fortification there.[1] Of this old castle, nothing remains but imposing ruins.[2]

In 1306, with the permission of the English King Edward I, Cardinal de la Mothe, nephew of Pope Clement V built a second fortress (le Château Neuf).

This new castle was square in plan with six towers and a central keep. The entire structure was restored and transformed by Viollet-le-Duc and one of his pupils, Duthoit, between 1860 and 1870. The extraordinary interior decorations, with its furnishings and paintings, were created by Viollet-le-Duc and are listed as French Heritage.[2]

The château park includes remains of the medieval curtain wall with the barbican, the Pesquey stream and its banks, the 19th century chalet, and the Crampet pigeon loft.

It has been listed since 1976 as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture and is open to the public.[2]