St. Cirgues Castle

St. Cirgues Castle, locally known as Château de Saint-Cirgues, lies next to the village of Saint-Cirgues-de-Malbert, in the Cantal department in France.

The present castle was preceded by a Gothic castle, built by Géraud de Saint-Cirgues in 1312, called Malfaras Castle.

In 1645 the castle and its lands were sold by Jean de Giscard, baron of Thédirac, to Jean de Pesteils de Lévy, baron of Caylus. At that time Malfaras Castle was described as a burnt-down ruin. How and when that happened I could not find out. That same year Jean de Pesteils exchanged the ruined castle and its lands for another one with Jacques de Chaumeil.

Jacques and his son François de Chaumeil, squire, then had the present Saint-Cirgues Castle built on the remains of its predecessor, in 1690. It was built as a rectangular, 3-storey mansion with square, machicolated turrets flanking its 4 corners.

In 1733 the castle passed to the Dubois de Saint-Étienne family through marriage. They later sold it, in 1777, to Claude-Louis de Léotoing, Marquis d'Anjony. He could only enjoy his castle until 1789 when, during the French Revolution, it was confiscated.

In the 19th century St. Cirgues Castle came into the possession of the Laden-Tridon family who finally abandoned it in the beginning of the 20th century. After that, the castle fell to ruin and nature took over.

In 2017 it was bought by the present owner; a sympathetic young man with a passion who aims to rebuild the castle himself with basic materials and funds. When I visited he lived in the only restored room of the castle without being connected to electricity and he had only just recently installed running water. A foundation has been started and volunteers are welcomed to help him. I admire and respect his passion and courage! Please, visit the castle's website and donate.

At present St. Cirgues Castle can be visited without a fee. Recommended!

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