Château de Durban

The origins of the Château de Durban lie on Roman foundations, upon which the first castle complex for the lords of Durban was erected in the 11th century. A documentary mention from 1018 confirms the existence of this early fortification. The lords of Durban were vassals of the viscounts of Narbonne and significantly expanded their possessions in the 12th century, acquiring lands and rights over places such as Leucate, Fabrezan, Fontjoncouse, and Villesèque. In 1229, Guillaume de Durban swore allegiance to the French king, thereby retaining his property despite his ancestors' earlier connections to the Cathars. In the 16th century, the castle underwent a transformation in the Renaissance style, with windows featuring marble columns and ornate lintels inserted into the north and west walls.