The Chateau of Marechal Soult
The Chateau of Soult-Berg is 10 km from Mazamet in the Tarn, at the outskirts of the village of Saint Amans on the road to Béziers. This prestigious residence of the famous field-marshal of France and Duke of Dalmatie, Jean de Dieu Soult, was built in 1827 is located at the end of a drive fringed with a hundred year old trees. It is both a historical monument and the symbol of a familial heritage. Today, after seven generations, Marechal's descendants, two brothers, have decided to restore the chateau to its brilliant past while opening its doors to admirer of fine buildings.
They started by taking the furniture out of storage and reinstalling it in its original setting. The chateau classified as a Historical Monument had over 300 visitors for the "Journées du patrimoine" last year. Encouraged by this success, the young descendants decided to open seven recently restored rooms to the public including the splendid library, the "grisaille" drawing-room, dining-room, bedrooms and the theater.
In the grounds the "jardin anglais" of 10 hectares is a tresure of trees and plants rarely seen in our latitudes, tulip-trees from Virginia, an oak of Canary Islands and the biggest chinese fir tree planted in France. An enthusiastic botanist, Marechal Soult used his influence to obtain rare seeds and plants from the French colonies and other exploratory exhibitions. Since its creation, the grounds of the chateau have been open to the local village people who have always appreciated their "right" to wander at leisure in these magnificent surroundings.
The chateau is only open to the public one certain days with guided visits. For further information call 05 63 98 47 18 (Please indicate that you learnt about the chateau at Tarn-Web)
ÓChantal Moret & Mike Briley 1999-2006