About
The Ostal des Carcassonne is a rare surviving example of a medieval manor house in Montpellier, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. Located at the corner of Rue de la Vieille and Rue de la Draperie Rouge, the building is a U-shaped ensemble of three structures arranged around a central courtyard and dominated by a large square tower — the only remaining specimen of a medieval «Maison tour» in the city.
Built by the Carcassonne family, the manor houses a remarkable painted room whose murals narrate the life of Saint Eustache, patron saint of drapers. The building was acquired in 1660 by Pierre de Gayon, a councillor at the Cour des comptes, and substantially renovated in 1661 by mason Jean Savy, who retained most of the original structure while modernising the facades and adding a new staircase.
The murals of the painted room were only uncovered in 1999 during renovation work and have since been restored with support from DRAC, the City of Montpellier, the Hérault department and the Occitanie region. The building is now managed by the association Habitat Jeunes Montpellier, providing housing for young workers.
Visitors can explore this exceptional piece of medieval heritage during a guided visit as part of the European Heritage Days 2026.