Born of the banks of the Lez, long before Montpellier, the first traces of human activity in Castelnau date back to 4000 years to the Bronze Age. Underneath the water tower on the Plateau de Substantion, the first known inhabitants, the Gaulois settled here in about 700 BC.
Further along in time, the Romans arrived, re-baptizing the city Sextantio (the sixth stop on the Via Domitia). Castelnau-le-lez became a stopover city on the path linking Rome to Spain.
The years went by and the town became Substantion once more and served as headquarters for the Bishops of Maguelone.
During the 12th Century the city lost its influence and was handed over to the Lords of Montpellier. In 1674 Castelnau became the property of the Family of Castries, who also owned Le Cres and Salason. In 1791 the city had a population of only 68 people !
From Village to the 9th Largest City in the Department
In 1872, the villages of Le Cres and Castelnau were separated and reborn. Castelnau became the capitol of Mazet, and the favorite Sunday destination of Montpellier’s families.
In 1936 Castelnau’s population had grown to 2,200 people.
The return of French settlers from Africa, and the installation of IBM in the 60’s drastically transformed the village. The growing population needed infrastructures and the responsive municipal government made Castelnau into the young and thriving we know and love today.
Sites to See :
Church of Saint John the Baptist (12th Century)
The City’s Cooler (18th Century)
Le Domaine de Verchant
The ruins of the Voie Domitienne
Parc Monplaisir
15,6 °C
