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Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of La Moissetie, located in Aurillac in the department of Cantal, is a mansion whose origin dates back to at least the thirteenth century. His name comes from the Moisset family (or Moysset), hereditary vigogers of the Jordanne valley for the abbot of Aurillac. This castle, originally built as a seigneurial residence, was the seat of this line until the end of the 15th century, before passing into the hands of the La Roque family by marriage.

The present structure of the castle reflects successive changes, notably with the addition of a round corner tower in the 19th century, joined to a body of older rectangular houses. According to the sources, it was Raymond II de Moysset, born around 1280, who initiated the construction of the castle. The property changed hands on several occasions: after the Moysset, it returned to the La Roque (Teachers of Roquenatou), then was acquired by the Brunon family, which kept it until the 20th century.

The castle is closely linked to local history, including the abbey of Aurillac, whose abbots held rights over the Jordan Valley. The marriage alliances between the Moysset and La Roque, the co-seigneur families of Roquenatou, illustrate the strategies of nobiliary alliances in Upper Auvergne during the Middle Ages. Today, the castle is open to the public and offers guest rooms, perpetuating its role in local life.

The archives mention several prominent members of the Moysset family, such as Savary de Moysset (died after 1363), lord of La Moissetie, Réquiran and Jussac, or Antoinette de Moysset, last heiress before the definitive transfer of the castle to the La Roque in 1497. These genealogical details underline the importance of this place as a regional power centre for nearly three centuries.

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