Château d'Usson and Heritage House

At the heritage house attached to the Château d'Usson, over 700m², you will find a reconstructed traditional mountain habitat, archaeological objects from the excavations of the castle still in progress testifying to us of a seigneurial life from the 13th to the 18th Century as well as the "Lady of Usson".



For groups, open all year on request and from 8 people.


The castle of Usson is the oldest of the two fortresses of Donezan. It is likely that its creation dates back to the end of the 10th century. it is a millennial site which controlled the Aude valley and protected the country of Donezan from any incursion.
Occupied without interruption until 1794, it was in turn the property and the stake of several families, in particular the former lords of So and Allion, and still clearly bears the traces of this long occupation.
The 1789 revolution will sound the death knell for the castle, which will be dismantled stone by stone and will serve as a quarry for the inhabitants of the nearest villages.It was not until 1990 that this legendary site witnessed the first actions intended to save it from total ruin.
Today, the lower enclosure houses the Maison du Patrimoine where 700m2 of exhibition space brings together the history of the castle and more generally of Donezan.
Usson is also contemporary exhibitions, entertainment and shows, guided tours and access to the very top of the tower for a panoramic view of the mountains and the Aude valley.


2023 timetable:
April: open on April 23, 26, 28 and 30 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
May: open on May 3, 5, 19, and 20 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
June: open on June 17, 18, 24 and 25 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
July/ August: open July 1 and 2 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. then from July 9 to August 31 open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
September: open on September 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
October: open on October 22, 25, 27 and 29 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
November :open on November 3 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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