Rousset Castle

Rousset Castle, locally known as Château du Rousset, lies west of the village of Margerie-Chantagret in the Loire department in France.

First mentioned in 1260, Rousset Castle stands on the right bank of the Mare stream in a wooded valley, at the western end of Margerie-Chantagret. It is built on a small rocky outcrop surrounded on two sides by the river. The round tower, believed to date from the 13th century, is the oldest visible structure.

The La Bastie family first owned the castle, and at that time, it would have been a small fortified house protecting an agricultural domain from bandits. Over the following centuries, the castle was owned by the families of Lothon, Sugny, and Damas. During that time, the small medieval house was transformed into a fortified seigneurial manor,

At the end of the 18th century, during the French Revolution, Rousset Castle was sold as national property. It had many owners during the 19th century until it was acquired by the Midroit-Guigon family in 1873, who still own it to this day.

Between 2010 and 2017, the castle ruin was consolidated and partly restored, and its owners now use it as a venue to host occasional meetings and small events.

Although privately owned and not generally open to the public, Rousset Castle may be visited by appointment and is occasionally accessible during the European Heritage Days. A nice ruin, which can partly be seen from the public road.

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