The Montlaurs have been owners of the Chateau and associated properties since the middle of the 10th century, having been accorded Lordship of the region for their support of the French king’s interests.  Originally encompassing a very large tract of land, the region was considered strategically important.  The Montlaurs arrived and took control of this valley as loyal subjects of the King of France.  In medieval times the main trade routes from Italy into the heart of France, from France to Spain, and from Spain to Italy converged very near Montlaur along the Via Domitia. 

Having a canny reputation, the lords of the region imposed taxes on the trade caravans that passed by, increasing their wealth.  Sometimes caravans would try to slip by in the night, but hounds kept in the fortress would sound an alarm if they heard anything out beyond the walls. Unleashed, the hounds would invariably lead the lord’s men to the hapless traders’ wagons.

In 2021, it will have been 400 years since the Chateau Montlaur was pulverized under a fusillade of cannon fire. Its walls were breached and its inhabitants and loyal servants either put to the sword or ransomed.  The family, known as “de Montlaur”, who had built and lived in this monument for over 600 years, were scattered across France.  Time has passed but they meticulously maintained the links to their patrimony. The stones waited, as stones are wont to do. 

With active production from the vineyards of the farm, the family marked its return to winemaking in 2007, making Monte Lauro the oldest continuously owned vineyard property in the world, outpacing by 50 years the Chateau de Goulaine in the Loire Valley, owned by the de Goulaines since 1000 AD.  This represents a truly remarkable milestone in the history of this place.

In addition, the ruins of the Chateau Montlaur will form a central component of the experience offered to all Micro-Leaseholders with opportunities to tour, sightsee, interpret and enjoy medieval architecture.  These ruins include not only the Chateau itself but the extensive ruins associated with late medieval life back through Roman occupation.  The Roman road remains there to this day, stretching off straight into the distance towards Sommieres, unlike the myriad of other Gallic goat path roads that meander through the rest of this region.