Strategically positioned at the entry to the Cère gorge, between Auvergne and Quercy, the castle was home for over three centuries to the de Montal family (hence the name ‘Château de Montal’).
In 1281 Durand de Montal, lord of La Roquebrou, gave the local inhabitants a chart drawing up the rights and duties of both lord and locals, giving the latter guarantees that will have been much appreciated.
At the time it may be that only the tour del Moussou had been built. The rest of the castle was erected progressively, as of the 14th century. The completed edifice must have been a fine sight, with its seven towers, a large wing on either side of the main staircase, and the wall-top walk surrounding it. At the end of the 16th century, as a result of Rose de Montal’s marriage to François de Perusse d’Escars, the castle passed to the Perusse d’Escars family until the Revolution.
The castle and its sumptuous furnishings were expropriated in 1793 and sold as state property. As of 1840 the site was regarded solely as a useful source of stone and wooden beams. The demolition of the southern wing endangered the keep that abutted it, which finally collapsed dramatically to the ground in 1881. The section of wall you can see is all that remains of it today.
The castle was listed as a historical monument in 1972 and now houses exhibitions during the summer (closed for the rest of the year).
Periode d‘ouverture : Summer
From 08/07 to 25/08, daily.
The interior of the château is open in summer for art exhibitions. The grounds are open all year round.
