Leucate Castle

The remains of the fortified castle of Leucate date from the 11th to the 17th century

At the beginning of the 14th century, the castle belonged to 2 lords: Raymond de Durban and Gausbert de Leucate.
In 1309, the king of France Philippe le Bel  wished to recover the territories and the castle of Leucate by land exchange in order to make it a port.
In 1312, the act of transfer to the kingdom of France was signed.<In 1321, a garrison was established in the castle and works were carried out.
In 1362, the castle sheltered the royal army that was to invade Roussillon.
In 1475, Arnaud de Chesnay was governor of the stronghold of Leucate.
In 1496, the Spanish ravaged the Corbières. In 1503, a powerful Spanish army attacked the region and the fortification of Leucate. Their attack was victorious and the French royal army capitulated.
In 1527, defence improvements were made.
In 1589, during the Wars of Religion, the fortress was held by Bourcier de Barri.
In 1590, the governor was taken prisoner in an ambush and imprisoned in Narbonne. Fearing an attack by the Maréchal de Joyeuse, who was in league with the Spaniards, his wife (Françoise de Cézelly) took refuge in the fortress. She commands the defence and faces an impressive army of Ligueurs and Spaniards. In the same year, impressed by the courage of this woman, the King of France Henri IV (see list) entrusted her with the government of Leucate until the majority of her son Hercule de Barri.
In 1637, work to modernise the defences was carried out (half moon).  In 1639, in retaliation for the attack on the fortress of Salses, the Spanish attacked Leucate, but without success.

In 1661, the States of Languedoc asked the King to dismantle several fortresses that had become useless and costly. Leucate was on the list.* In 1664, the order for demolition was given by the King. This work was carried out by François Carcassonne (master mason in Narbonne).

In 1996, the association "des amis de Leucate" carried out work to enhance the site. Today, it can be visited free of charge.