Messilhac Castle

Messilhac Castle, locally known as Château de Messilhac, lies south of the village of Raulhac, in the Cantal department in France.

Messilhac Castle was built during the 12th century on a promontory overlooking the valley of the Goul which was the border between the Viscounty of Carlat and the Haute-Auvergne. Then it consisted of a keep, the present west tower, surrounded by an enclosure with several towers of which only 2 remain today. A small village would have existed beneath it but this has disappeared. Its owners were the Bénavent family.

The castle was taken in 1414 by Renaud de Murat during his feud with Bernard VII, Count of Armagnac. During the 15th century the appearance of the castle changed considerably when the east keep and the main building were built, giving it its present shape. The main building was altered in the 16th century, by Jean de Montamat, making it a more comfortable residence in the style of that era.

The castle has been the property of the descendants of the same family that built it; the Bénavents. They later changed their name to Montamat after a castle which would have stood opposite Messilhac on the other side of the valley. Through marriage it first went to the Chapt de Rastinhac family and later, through inheritance, to the De Greils. They kept the castle until 1943 when it was sold for the first time in its history. It was bought by the current owners in 1998.

 At present Messilhac Castle can be visited for a fee during the summer months. Sadly enough it was closed due to corona measures when I came by. A very nice castle.

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