Monistrol Castle

Monistrol Castle, locally known as Château de Monistrol-sur-Loire, or more commonly as Château des Évêques-du-Puy, often shortened to Château des Évêques, lies in the town of Monistrol-sur-Loire in the Haute-Loire department in France.

In 1270, Guillaume de La Roue, Bishop of Le Puy, acquired the seigneury of Monistrol and initiated construction of a new episcopal summer residence on the hill above the town, replacing an older castle in the valley below.

Over the 14th and 15th centuries, his successors expanded and reinforced the castle. A south-west facade with an ogival entrance and defensive features, such as a portcullis, was built, and later a large tower was added under Bishop Jean de Bourbon.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the size of the castle was reduced when it was transformed in a classical style: a monumental double staircase, new pavilions on the garden facade, refined interior decoration, and wrought-iron detailing were introduced. The surrounding park was expanded and ornamented.

The last episcopal lord, Monseigneur de Galard, installed a celebrated wrought-iron stair railing in 1780. However, the French Revolution brought a dramatic break: in 1791, Monistrol Castle was seized, declared national property, and its parkland was later subdivided and sold.

In 1838, the castle was divided: the eastern part became a school, and the rest was initially sold to private individuals. The western part became a hospital in 1909 and later in the century turned into a retirement home. Only in 1989 did the retirement home vacate the castle; it was then acquired by the municipality, which restored it.

The castle now has a somewhat rectangular layout with the two large 15th-century round towers guarding the north-west facade. 

Today, the school still occupies part of Monistrol Castle, while the remainder is used for cultural activities. A nice castle.

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