1200 years of history
A historical mansion that has passed through the ages since the Middle Ages
Ancient priory built in the 9th century
The history of Domaine de Monteils
Archaeologists found pieces of Roman amphoras and Roman tiles at the edge of the vineyards around the domaine. The place is mentionned in the archives under the name of Villa Montilius, in the valley of Arigae.
And on the oppidum of Gailhan: the hill facing the domaine, were found grape seeds coming from one of the oldest vineyard having been used to make wine in France.
But the history of the Domaine de Monteils really begins in the Middle Ages...
Priory in the middle ages
Built in the 9th century for its most ancient part, the Domaine de Monteils was originally a priory called Saint Martin de Monteils, established by Benedictines monks who came from the abbey of Cluny. At that time the monks were cultivating the saffron. We have very few information over this period and we have not uncovered all the secrets of certain rooms and arched alcoves yet.
Multiple battles between the Lords who owned the farmlands in the area caused the decline of the priory, which was partially destroyed in the 12th century. A set of medieval stones from the chapel of the priory was found in the grove behind the wine storehouse. The village of Carnas was created then and the first houses of the village were built with stones coming from the priory.
Glassmakers in the 13th an 14th century
In the following century, the population of Carnas having become numerous enough to build a church in the village, the priory was finally abandoned by the catholic cult and began to host Protestant families.
Their economic activity in 13th and 14th centuries was the manufacturing of pharmaceutical glass for the medicine university of Montpellier. There was a forge but we only found an old pair of bellows coming from it.
A famous chemist has been living at that time in the nearby hamlet.
At Domaine de Monteils also took place the breeding of silkworms, quite common in the Cevennes until the 19th century, show of it its hundred-year-old mulberry trees
Lords and vassals
Successively, several families of the nobility lived at Monteils: In 1391 then in 1415, Bernard Aguzon, Bertrand Peyregrosse and Martin Jean de Monteil made act of feudal recognization and declared themselves vassals of noble Bringuier Azemar, damsel Léonor Bruguière and their son Urban.
In 1662 the Domaine became property of the family De Cambis: a Protestant family native of Florence in Italy, before being sold in 1740 to Pierre de La Roque, appointed Lord of Monteils.
There is a long list of land Lords who lived there.
Wine estate since 1893
In the end of the 19th century, this historical place experienced a new development, while the wine growing became an important activity in the Occitan economy.
The wine storehouse was built, containing the old presses that are still there, and 7 tanks containing an important 3500 hectoliters production.
Stables and houses for the workers were also built, making the Domaine de Monteils looking like a small hamlet.
The tower was raised at that time: it was in fact a former dovecote from the 13th century, the roof of which was removed to add the upper level.
The entrance alley and the park that give this particular charm to Monteils also date from this period. They were drawn by the architect Nestor Alaus, who was inspired by Violet-le-duc.
Reconversion into luxury holiday residence
The wine-making activity stopped gradually in the 1960s and the vineyards were sold to independent wine growers in 1975.
The domain was then during a short time the property of Mrs Rouquette, who was passionate of horse riding. She built the horses stalls.
In 2010 we discovered this place in a neglected state since decades.
We immediately began its restoration to give Domaine de Monteils a new life.
What seduced us the most:
✔ The exceptional architecture allowing a daring combination of heritage with a very contemporary design.
✔ The hamlet configuration with houses and terraces without screws.
✔ The soul that emerges from the place in a very Zen atmosphere at the calm of its centenary Mediterranean park.
✔ Its geographical location between Languedoc and Provence, a few minutes from the Cévennes and the Camargue, surrounded by many authentic villages and world-renowned tourist sites.