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Origin and history

The remains of Malval Castle, also known as Abain Castle, are located in Malval, in the Creuse department. This fortified site is one of the oldest in the Limousin, mentioned in 1038, although its castral motte may suggest an even older origin. The current ruins date mainly from the 4th quarter of the 14th century and the 1st quarter of the 15th century, during which period the castle was equipped with defensive elements characteristic of the era, such as machicolis and cannon guns.

The castle consisted of a triangular enclosure, including two circular towers at the southern and north-eastern ends, as well as living buildings, a chapel, a barn and stables in a vast lower courtyard. The best preserved part, at the northeast corner, includes a circular tower formerly equipped with mâchicoulis and cannon guns. A house body, probably accompanied by a wing in return and a quadrangular stair tower, completed the whole. These developments seem to be related to Louis de Malval, a man of war associated with Du Guesclin, who modernized the residence at the end of the 14th century.

The remains of the castle, including the remains of the buildings and the floors of the castral right-of-way, were inscribed in the Historical Monuments by order of 8 September 2005. The site, although partially in ruins, offers an architectural and historical testimony of the medieval fortifications of Limousin. Its approximate address, 5 Chemin des Ruines in Malval, allows to locate this emblematic heritage of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

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