Ancient and Medieval Foundations

Roman Influence:

Though direct evidence of Roman settlement in Boussagues is sparse, nearby sites like Château de Boussargues (3 km away) show Roman villas and agricultural activity, hinting at regional Romanization.

First Mention:

Boussagues appears in records in 1117 when Lord Déodat ceded his castle to Bernard-Aton Trencavel, Viscount of Béziers, marking its feudal integration.

Castle Construction:

The Château Bas (lower castle) was built in the 12th century, expanding the village beyond its initial fortified nucleus. By the 14th century, ramparts enclosed the growing bourg, which housed 1,300–1,500 people at its peak.

Feudal Power and Economic Boom

Silver and Coal Wealth:

Boussagues’ lords grew rich from nearby silver mines (12th–14th centuries) and later coal deposits (16th century), sharing profits with local abbeys and lords like those of Faugères

The Château de Boussagues (now in ruins) once belonged to the eccentric family of artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. His devout mother, Countess Adèle, was so worried about her son’s scandalous Parisian lifestyle (absinthe binges, brothel portraits, and all) that she installed a team of nuns in the castle with one mission: to pray nonstop for his salvation. Lautrec himself joked: "I can do anything I like—Mama keeps nuns in Boussagues whose full-time job is to cancel out my sins!"

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