Salamon is mentioned as Lo Mas del Mazet oltra Tarn – “the little cottage on the Tarn” in a census around 1350 with reference to a previous census about a hundred years earlier. The oldest part of the present building in Salamon – the lower part of the West Tower – might therefore be 800 years old.

Over the centuries, additions were made to the original building, and serving as dwellings for small-hold farming families into the 20th century. The last family left in 1937, when land and buildings were sold to a neighbouring farmer. The main building is said to have been used by the refugees on their way to Spain during the Second World War, but then left unoccupied and allowed to deteriorate.

In 1970, a young Dutchman – Tom Van Der Bruggen- bought Salamon, with the intention of restoring the main building (by then partly a ruin) in the style of a medieval castle.

This dream was completed after 17 years of hard work during which time the new owner and his wife lived in Salamon around the year, despite the lack of windows or electricity in the emerging Château during the early years. In 1987, the building, now named Château Salamon, was put up for sale. Tom Van Der Bruggen used the proceeds for developing a childrens’ game he had invented during his time in Salamon into a commercial product, Kapla, now known worldwide.

Two Scottish families then became the new owners. They completed the interior of the East Tower, built a retaining wall down to the riverside, used Salamon for recreation for their families and renting out during the holiday season. In 2000, with approaching retirement, they put Salamon up for sale again.

Carole and Magnus, an English and Swedish couple, were the lucky new owners. They have concentrated on landscaping to create horizontal areas of what was a sloping terrain down to the river. This has involved interesting work building many supporting walls. A sunken garden was built as a place for contemplation and an aperitif in the setting afternoon sun. More recently (2009), a veranda was added to the main building.

If in the beginning they were living in Salamon around the year, by the end, they were only coming for holidays. Their daughter was living in England, and they wanted to be closer to her and their grandchild. In 2020, with Brexit and Covid, it became more and more difficult to travel, and they decided to sell Château Salamon to us.

Of several stone buildings erected in Salamon over the centuries, only the main building and the barn remain. The stones from smaller buildings, existing in 1970, have been used in the restoration of the main building.

Pictures found in Salamon