CHATEAU DE PRADES - GORGES DU TARN CAUSSES

The Château de Prades is located in the eponymous village, near Sainte-Enimie in the Gorges du Tarn.

Castle built at the beginning of the 13th century. In 1283, it became the property of the abbey of Sainte-Enimie with a defensive purpose. During the Religious wars, the Capitaine Merle attacked the castle where Sainte-Enimie's prior was staying. The castle resisted to Protestants and stopped their advance towards the west. During the Revolution, the castle was sold as a national property.

It is perched on an overhang. It is composed of a main building at the south and a chapel at the north, both connected by a surrounding wall that also existed from north to west, delimiting a courtyard. The north facade of the main building is flanked with two small buildings with a low lean-to. On the left of the entrance porch is a turret with a spiral staircase. At the north-west angle, rises a large square tower. Inside, only the groundfloor has kept ancient elements.