Domaine de Quilhanet

Located on the D224, Quilhanet lies halfway between Bizanet and the Abbey de Fontfroide.

It is not so well represented today as in earlier times and to appreciate its former estate one should include the St Julien, St Henri and Aurits estates. There are remains of old roman villas to be found in the sheltered hills behind the estate.

The villa of Quilianum was counted as part of the Archbishop of Narbonne’s possessions

during the period of Charlemagne in 782.

In the 11^th century the parish of St Julien incorporated the hamlet of Quilhanet and in 1123 the Archbishop gave the ‘Chateau of Quillan in the Corbiere’ to Bernard-Hugues in perpetuity in exchange for his service. Like many of the neighbouring domains around the Abbey de Fontfroide these were fortified sites, surrounded by gardens, fruit trees, fields and vineyards.

The 15^th century saw the hamlet fall into ruin along with the old chateau, the shepherds’ dwellings, the chapel dating from the previous century. The land was given over to sheep and the families Vital de Castres, de Neveys, de Calvisson paid homage to the Archbishop during this time. In 1727 an heir, from d’Arles became interested in the property. In the pages of history, perfectly preserved in Arles, he describes the various steps taken to restore the domain to its former glory.

During the Revolution the estate comprised 100 ha of vines. By order of Mme de Condorcet, the Chateau and its estate were sold to Mr. Noel Daru. It was thus Quilhanet became, under the Empire, an estate of worth owned by the Count Pierre Daru, Minister in the Administration in the war of Napoleon 1. He made 2 short visits to Quilhanet. The actual building was constructed during the course of the 19^th century