AtaraxiaThe Château de Valgros, also known as Château de Frontenac, was built in the 19th century and was once a true estate of wealth and breathtaking beauty. The residence, located at the entrance of the commune of Bram in Occitanie, unfortunately suffered a devastating fire in 2005. The blaze was so severe that it was recorded as the most significant fire in the last 20 years. But the remnants of this impressive building leave many questions about its past and allow us to imagine the vestiges of a glorious fortune. Let’s travel back in time to uncover the history of a home that was abandoned too soon.
Originally, the Domaine de Valgros extended all the way to Buzarens, but the building that two merchants from Montreal had initiated quickly became the property of Thomas Valgros, a merchant from Carcassonne who gave his name to the estate.
The château changed hands several times until 1870, when Mr. Eugène Fabre became the proud owner of a charming residence consisting of three floors, each 1,000 square meters, all set within a 26-hectare green haven. Upon his death, his daughter, Marie Piquet, inherited it, making the Château de Valgros the property of the Piquet family, who kept it until 1987. It then passed into the hands of a Belgian family who added the name “Frontenac” to the château. A Dutch company later acquired this sumptuous residence and its park, marking the beginning of the end for what was once one of the most beautiful châteaux in the region, even nicknamed “the little Versailles.”
However, the Dutch company had good plans: luxury apartments for rent, a park, a golf course, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a football field… A model apartment was even built, along with a fountain in front of the house. But despite these efforts, what was once a magnificent château always seemed empty, and the property quickly changed hands among various Dutch companies.
In 2005, a first fire struck the Château de Valgros, putting all the Dutch company’s projects on hold. The fire was later deemed criminal, with charges of fraud and money laundering by an organized gang. The accused were fined between 550,000 and 1.5 million euros, and two of them received prison sentences.
Since then, left abandoned, the château suffered a second fire in 2020, further sealing its fate as a ruin. This occurred despite the fervent protests of several locals who deemed it “unacceptable” to let such a grand château fall into disrepair. Unfortunately, the owner turned a deaf ear to all offers of purchase, preventing the restoration of what could have been one of the most beautiful châteaux in Aude.
