Cocu Castle

Cocu Castle, locally known as Château Cocu, lies above the village of Auzat-la-Combelle in the Puy-de-Dôme department in France.

The castle was originally constructed in the 13th century as a fortified seigneurial residence on a rocky outcrop above the village and the Allier valley. Its early lord may have been Bernard Cocci, after whom the site was named, and in the 14th century, the fief and castle were held by Aubert de Peuchaud.

Over the following centuries, the castle experienced a gradual decline. By 1840, written records indicate that its last known inhabitant had left the site, leaving it to fall into ruin.

Little of the original structure now survives; what remains are very overgrown ruins consisting of low round towers, a facade, and sections of the curtain wall.

Today, Cocu Castle exists as a ruin visible from below and reachable by footpaths in the surrounding countryside. The site is privately owned, fenced off, and access seems to be prohibited. Not very interesting because the growth obscures much of its layout.

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