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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Mont-à-la-Vigne is a 15th-17th century residence, built on an eminence in the valley of Life, above the village of Monteille (now integrated in Mézidon Valley of Auge, Calvados). Its major construction campaigns date back to the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, with typical architectural elements such as turrets, ditches and a body of stone houses and wooden panels. The whole is lined with a four tower enclosure, reflecting its defensive and residential importance.

In the 16th century, the castle played a notable role during the Wars of Religion, marking its anchor in the local tensions of the time. Arcisse de Caumont (1801–73) attributed his property to the Tesson family, confirmed in 1778 by the Count of Tesson de la Viéville, seigneur of Monteille. The buildings, organised around a central courtyard, illustrate the architectural evolution between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, with successive additions.

Ranked a historic monument by decree of 24 September 1932, the castle bears witness to Norman seigneurial history. Its remains, including elements from the 15th and 16th centuries, offer an overview of the noble residences of the Auge Country. Sources, such as the Monumental Statistics of Calvados (Arcisse de Caumont, 1867), highlight its heritage importance, complemented by references in Mérimée and local works.

The exact location, near the former municipality of Monteille (code Insee 14431), and its official registration make it a protected site, although its current state and uses (visits, events) are not detailed in the available sources. The castle thus embodies both an architectural heritage and a marker of the social dynamics of pre-modern Normandy.

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