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Chateau de Cayx

In medieval times the village of Caïx was an important Gallic stronghold during the Roman conquests. In the 14th century the château was fortified and was a junction for traffic on the river Lot. The château dominates the small plain and the village of Cayx and formed part of the defences for town of Luzech.

Located in the wine district of Cahors in southern France, Château de Cayx was bought by the Lefranc de Pompignan family in the 18th century. By the 1800s it had become the favourite residence of the poet and bel-esprit Jacques Lefranc de Pompignan. He earned a chair in The French Academy, but nowadays is best remembered for his feud with Voltaire, rather than for his writing.

Château de Cayx has been rebuilt several times since the 14th century. The Pompignan family modernised the windows and in the 18th century built extensive cellars with a view to wine production.

120 years ago vine pest devastated the vineyards. The Monpezat family then emigrated to Indo-China and did not return to Cahors until 1955. In 1967 the eldest son of the family, Henri de Monpezat, married Princess Margrethe, the heir apparent to the Danish throne. When they were married he became Henrik, Prince of Denmark.

The Royal couple bought Château de Cayx in 1974. The buildings have been restored with great care and attention to detail, and the Château has become the relaxed setting for reunions of the entire Danish Royal Family and their French relatives.

The château is not open to the public.