The Château de Saint-Béat is a ruined castle in the commune of Saint-Béat-Lez in the Haute-Garonne département of France.Jean-Jacques DARD, "Le château de Saint-Béat, « clef de France »", La Dépêche du Midi, 25 July 2002.
History The castle dates from the 12th century. It was enlarged by Henri IV (1553 – 1610). Rulers rarely lived in Saint-Béat; the castle was occupied by captains until the 16th century. In 1588, the Parlement of Toulouse passed a law that required the inhabitants of Melles, Argut and Arlos by turns to guard the castle, subject to a fine of 500 écus.P. de Casteran, "Document Inédits - Lettres de M. de Froidour, III", Revue de Gascogne : bulletin mensuel du Comité d'histoire et d'archéologie de la province ecclésiastique d'Auch, January 1898, p 350 The castle never had to repel invasions, though its strategic position close to the Spanish border led to it being described as "la clef de France" (the key to France).
Description The castle was surrounded by two enceintes.A. de Baroncelli, Les Pyrénées de Bayonne à Perpignan, p 101 (1900) The keep measures 5 metres by 5 and had two storeys. The castle provides views over the village and the Garonne valley.
See also List of castles in France
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