Castres history

Foundation and First Mentions

The name of the city Castres comes from the Latin word castrum, which translates as "fortified camp" or "fortress". This indicates that the settlement arose on the site of an ancient Roman military fortification. However, the full history of the city as a significant centre begins in the Middle Ages.

The official starting point is often considered to be the year 812, when the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Benoît (Saint Benedict) was founded on the banks of the Agout River. It was around this monastery that a civilian settlement began to form, which subsequently grew into a city.

Factors of Development and Growth

The transformation of a small settlement into a thriving city was driven by several key circumstances:

• Religious Significance: In the 9th century (around 855), monks brought the relics of Saint Vincent of Saragossa to the abbey. This event turned Castres into an important pilgrimage centre on the famous Way of St. James (Via Tolosana), ensuring an influx of people and funds.
• Geographical Location: The city was successfully situated on the banks of the river Agout. The river served not only as a transport artery and natural defence but also provided energy for early craft industries.
• Political Status: The power of the abbots was gradually replaced by the influence of local lords, and in the 12th century, the city received a charter of liberties, which promoted the growth of self-government and trade.

Early Culture and Economy

The economic foundation of early Castres was laid thanks to the availability of water. Already in the Middle Ages, crafts began to actively develop here, becoming the city's hallmark for centuries to come:

• Tanning and Textiles: The waters of the Agout River were used for processing leather and wool. Workshops of tanners, dyers, and weavers appeared along the river. The famous houses on the water, preserved to this day, were originally the workplaces of these artisans.
• Trade: Thanks to pilgrims and merchants passing through the region, markets and fairs flourished in Castres, where goods from different corners of southern France were exchanged.

Key Dates in the City's History

• 812 — Foundation of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Benoît on the banks of the Agout River. A settlement begins to form around the monastery, becoming the basis of the future city.
• 855 — Transfer of the relics of Saint Vincent to the abbey, transforming Castres into an important point on the pilgrimage route and giving a powerful impulse to its development.
• 1317 — Pope John XXII establishes the Diocese of Castres. The city receives bishopric status, enhancing its religious and political influence.
• 1356 — King John II the Good of France raises the Lordship of Castres to the rank of a County (comté). This event officially secured the city's high administrative status in the region.
• 1595 — Castres becomes the seat of the Chamber of the Edict (Chambre de l’Édit) — a judicial body created by Henry IV to ensure peaceful coexistence between Catholics and Protestants.
• 1629 — Following the religious wars, the city's fortress walls are destroyed by order of Cardinal Richelieu, changing the city's appearance and opening space for new civil development.
• 1666 — Bishop Michel Tubœuf initiates the construction of the majestic Episcopal Palace, designed by the famous architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart.
• 1676 — Completion of the Episcopal Palace gardens, designed by the royal landscape architect André Le Nôtre.
• 1859 — Birth of Jean Jaurès in Castres, a prominent French political figure, philosopher, and historian.
• 1893 — Artist and collector Marcel Briguiboul bequeaths his collection to the city, including works by Francisco Goya, marking the beginning of the museum's unique collection.
• 1947 — The Goya Museum, located in the halls of the former Episcopal Palace, is definitively established as the city's main cultural attraction and a centre of Spanish art in France.
• 1962 — Pierre Fabre founds a pharmaceutical laboratory in his hometown, which subsequently grew into an international company and became a vital economic driver for the region.

Stages of City Transformation

The history of Castres is a journey from a medieval craft settlement to a modern centre of pharmaceuticals and culture. Below are the key milestones that defined the city's appearance and economy:

• Development of Tanning and Textile Crafts (from the 12th century)
  The Agout River became the city's main economic engine. The river waters were used for processing wool and leather, leading to the formation of guilds of weavers, dyers, and tanners. It was this economic boom that gave the city its famous "houses on the water," which served as workshops and warehouses.
• Confirmation of Regional Centre Status (14th century)
  The creation of the diocese (1317) and elevation to the rank of a county (1356) cemented Castres' role as an administrative and religious leader in the Languedoc region. This attracted nobility and clergy to the city, stimulating the construction of stone buildings and the development of trade.
• The "Golden Age" of Protestantism and the Chamber of the Edict (17th century)
  During the religious wars, Castres became a stronghold for the Huguenots. The placement of the Chamber of the Edict here (a court with a mixed composition of Catholic and Protestant judges) turned the city into an intellectual capital. The influx of lawyers and educated people contributed to a cultural flourishing and the expansion of urban development beyond the medieval walls.
• Architectural Transformation (Second half of the 17th century)
  After the demolition of the fortress walls, the city began to open up to the world. Bishop Michel Tubœuf initiated large-scale construction, inviting the best masters of France. The appearance of the Episcopal Palace (architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart) and the gardens (landscape architect André Le Nôtre) brought the grandeur of Classicism to the appearance of Castres, replacing the severe medieval architecture.
• Industrialisation of the Textile Industry (19th century)
  Traditional crafts evolved into factory production. Castres became a major centre of the textile industry in France, specialising in fabric production. This time was marked by the growth of the working population and the modernisation of urban infrastructure.
• Cultural Rebirth (Late 19th — Early 20th century)
  The transfer of Marcel Briguiboul's collection to the city, which included masterpieces by Goya, laid the foundation for Castres' new identity as the "most Spanish city in France". The Goya Museum became a point of attraction for tourists and art historians from all over the world.
• Economic Reorientation (from the 1960s)
  Against the backdrop of the crisis in the traditional textile industry, the city found a new foothold. The founding of laboratories by pharmacist Pierre Fabre transformed Castres into the headquarters of an international pharmaceutical and cosmetic group, providing the region with jobs and investment.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Castres represents a unique dialogue between two eras: medieval industrial development by the water and the strict grandeur of French Classicism. The Agout River divides the city not only geographically but also stylistically, creating a contrast between picturesque ancient quarters and orderly 17th-century ensembles.

Middle Ages: Houses on the Agout River

The city's hallmark is the preserved medieval development along the river, which shaped the image of Castres as a craft centre.

• Style: Vernacular (folk) architecture with Gothic elements.
• Features: The famous "Houses on the Agout" (Maisons sur l'Agout) are the former workshops of tanners, weavers, and dyers. They are distinguished by colourful facades, wooden galleries hanging over the water, and special rooms on the lower levels (caussadous) for washing hides in the river.
• Era: 12th–17th centuries (many buildings were reconstructed while maintaining their medieval foundation).

Renaissance: Mansions of the Nobility

In the 16th and early 17th centuries, wealthy merchants and nobles began to build luxurious residences in the city centre, demonstrating a departure from severe fortress architecture towards the elegance of the Renaissance.

• Style: Renaissance.
• Landmark Buildings:
  • Hôtel de Nayrac — A striking example of civil architecture of the Renaissance era with characteristic towers, stone-mullioned windows, and an inner courtyard.
  • Hôtel de Viviez — A mansion combining elements of the late Renaissance and early Classicism.

17th Century: Triumph of Classicism

France's "Grand Siècle" left the most notable mark on Castres. After the demolition of the fortress walls, the city received a new administrative centre designed by the kingdom's best masters.

• Style: French Classicism.
• Features: Strict symmetry, monumentality, use of light stone, regular parks.
• Landmark Objects:
  • Episcopal Palace: Designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart (the architect of Versailles). The building is distinguished by a majestic facade and harmonious proportions. Today, it houses the City Hall and the Goya Museum.
  • Bishop's Gardens: A French-style park created by André Le Nôtre. Geometrically precise flowerbeds and alleys visually continue the architecture of the palace.

Baroque and Religious Architecture

The city's religious structures reflect the complex history of the confrontation between Catholics and Protestants, as well as the subsequent restoration of the church's influence.

• Style: Baroque and Classicism.
• Landmark Buildings:
  • Saint-Benoît Cathedral: The current building was constructed in the 17th–18th centuries on the foundation of older churches. Despite its severe exterior, the interior bears features of Baroque opulence.
  • Church of Saint-Jacques: Built in the 17th century and known for its bell tower, which has preserved features of the local southern French style.

19th Century and Modernism

In the 19th century, with the development of industry, the city expanded beyond the historic centre. New public buildings appeared, such as the Italian-style theatre and the covered market, reflecting the eclecticism of that time. In the 20th century, the city's development continued in the Albinque district, where examples of Art Deco and post-war modernism can be found.

Distinguished Figures of Castres

The history of Castres is inextricably linked with the names of people who brought fame to this city in politics, art, science, and sports. Below are key figures who left a notable mark on the history of the city and France.

• Jean Jaurès (1859–1914) — Political figure, philosopher, and historian
  The most famous native of Castres. Leader of the French socialist movement, a brilliant orator, and founder of the newspaper "L'Humanité". Jaurès is known for his fight for social justice and pacifist views. The city's main square is named in his honour, featuring a monument to the politician, and the National Jean Jaurès Centre-Museum has been opened.
• Pierre Fabre (1926–2013) — Pharmacist and entrepreneur
  Founder of the international pharmaceutical company Laboratoires Pierre Fabre. Born in Castres, he remained devoted to his hometown throughout his life, transforming it into the region's economic hub. Fabre was also the main patron of the local rugby club "Castres Olympique", leading it to the heights of French sport.
• Marcel Briguiboul (1837–1892) — Artist and collector
  Painter and musician who played a decisive role in the city's cultural destiny. It was he who bequeathed his unique collection to Castres, which included three canvases by Francisco Goya, including the famous "Self-Portrait with Spectacles". This gift served as the basis for the creation of the Goya Museum.
• Paul Pellisson (1624–1693) — Writer and academic
  A native of Castres who became one of the prominent figures of literary France in the 17th century. He was secretary to Nicolas Fouquet, and later the historiographer of King Louis XIV. A member of the Académie Française, known for his contribution to the development of the French language and literature of the Classicism era.
• Charles Blanc (1813–1882) — Art historian and critic
  Born in Castres. He became the first editor-in-chief of the influential magazine "Gazette des Beaux-Arts" and held the post of Director of the Department of Fine Arts of France. His works on art theory and architecture had a significant influence on 19th-century aesthetics.
• Claude Puel (born 1961) — Footballer and manager
  A famous sports figure born in Castres. He had a successful playing career at Monaco and then became a sought-after manager, leading top clubs in France (Lille, Lyon, Nice) and the English Premier League.