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Origin and history

Montalifant Castle, built in the 13th century, is located on a rocky spur surrounded by two valleys and a pond, reinforced by a dry moat. Its access was controlled by a natural strangulation of the terrain. Today, in a state of ruins, it preserves braided courtines flanked by five circular towers with various appliances. These towers feature three types of archery: a modest one, perhaps dating from the 12th century, a typical 13th century archery, and a canonary archery added in the 15th century.

The site, probably occupied from an ancient era, was chosen for its strategic interest by a younger branch of the Dinan family, which erected a castle there in the 12th century. In the 15th century it belonged to Françoise de Dinan, preceptor of Anne de Bretagne, but was probably already abandoned. From the 17th century, the estate was transformed into a farm, with buildings built inside the enclosure in the 18th and 19th centuries, reusing stones from ruins. A chapel dedicated to St.Agathe, now extinct, was once integrated into the enclosure.

The remains of the castle, including the remains of the courts and towers, were inscribed in the Historical Monuments by order of 27 February 1926. Their location, although known (approximate address: 5456 Montafilan, Corseul), remains imprecise according to available sources, with a cartographic accuracy deemed "passable". The site does not appear to be open to the visit systematically, and its current use is not detailed in the archives consulted.

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