Varennes Castle

Varennes Castle, locally known as Château de Varennes, lies above the village of the same name, in the Puy-de-Dôme department in France.

Not much is known about the history of this small castle, built on a motte situated on a height above the village. It may date back to the 10th/11th centuries when these type of castles appeared in the region, often replacing the earlier tradition of Celtic oppida.

Varennes Castle was first mentioned 1256 as being a property of Etienne de Montaigut, Lord of Varennes. The Montaigut family kept the castle until 1407 when it passed to Jean de Rochefort, Lord of Préchonnet, through marriage.

During the 15th century it first passed to the Le Loup family through marriage, before first being sold to Anthoine de Puyrenaud, who then sold it to Jean Drulhon, a merchant from Clermont in 1498. In 1543 the seigneury of Varennes was sold to Gabriel d'Estaing, Lord of Murol, by a Michel de Veyny. After that time the seigneury or castle ceased to be mentioned.

At some point in time the castle was abandoned, when is unknown. It may already have ceased to be inhabited after it had passed to the Rocheforts in 1407 or after its sale to the commoner Drulhon in 1498.

At present the ruin of Varennes Castle is freely accessible. Not a very exciting ruin but in a nice setting, looking out over the Chambon Lake. Murol Castle is nearby.

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