St Rome - Villefranche-de-Lauragais

Close to Villefranche-de-Lauragais is a small hamlet called St Rome.  St Rome is an ancient Utopian village founded in the 19th century by the count of Panouse.  He wanted to create his own utopia.  Having traveled a lot himself, he decided to construct houses representing different architectural designs.  Moorish, Palladian, Flemish, Dutch, and Noe-Byzantine style homes line the main street.

Over the years, the individual houses have been sold one by one.  But the château in the center is still owned by the family of count Panouse, and they still live there as well.  Unfortunately, the village is closed to outside visitors by a large gate.  It is a gated community.  About 58 people live here today.

http://polymathe.over-blog.com/article-17170975.html

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