Branzac Castle

Branzac Castle, locally known as Château de Branzac, lies west of the village of Loupiac, in the Cantal department in France.

Branzac Castle was built in the 15th century by Guy IV de Pesteil, at the end of a promontory, looking out over the valley of the Maronne. It was built in a style characteristic for the Haute-Auvergne in that period; a rectangular manor house with 2 round corner towers flanking one side and a stair tower in the midst of the opposite side. It replaced an earlier castle dating back to the 12th century. 

During the Renaissance, at the end of the 16th and beginning of the 16th century, the castle was rebuilt and its interior extensively decorated with Italian frescoes.

Around 1700 the castle and the seigneury of Branzac were acquired by the family of Robert de Lignerac. They sold it, in 1777, to Paul d'Anglars de Bassignac. His son, ruined by the French Revolution, sold it to a Jean Servet in 1833.

Sometime during the 19th century the castle was abandoned. Part of it was demolished, using dynamite, to use its stones for the building of a nearby railway viaduct. Also, some architectural elements of the castle, like chimneys, were disassembled to be installed in other castles like Pesteils and Conros.

At present Branzac Castle is private property and entry is not allowed due to the danger of falling masonry. A very nice castle ruin, too bad it is crumbling away.

Gallery