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Origin and history

Castelbouc Castle is a medieval building located in the commune of Sainte-Énimie, in Lozère, in the former province of Gevaudan. Built on a rocky piton overlooking the Tarn gorges, it is now in ruins and almost inaccessible. Its strategic location makes it a remarkable view of the valley, although its current state no longer makes it easy to reach. The remains bear witness to a defensive architecture typical of the medieval castles of the region.

The first mention of the castle dates back to the 12th century, when it belonged to Étienne de Castelbouc, vassal d'Élie de Montbrun, Templar Commander of Larzac. This link with the Templars suggests a strategic or religious importance of the site at that time. In the 16th century, during the wars of Religion, the particular states of Gevaudan ordered the destruction of many castles to prevent them from serving as refuge for Protestants. Castelbouc was destroyed in 1592, marking the end of his military role.

A local legend, located in the 13th century during the Crusades, tells that Raymond de Castelbouc, the only man left in the village, should have "satisfied" all the women whose husbands had gone to war. Exhausted, he would be dead, and his ghost, in the form of a goat, would haunt from the ruins. This folk history may explain the etymology of the name Castelbouc, combining the castle with a symbolic animal figure.

Recent archaeological discoveries near the site revealed sauropods from the Middle Jurassic (about 170 million years), proving that the area was once a lagoon. Although not directly linked to the castle, these traces highlight the geological and prehistoric age of the site, well before its medieval human occupation.

Today, Castelbouc Castle is only a historical vestige, witness to religious conflicts and local legends. Its isolation and its state of ruin make it a mysterious place, attracting lovers of history and preserved landscapes. Its inclusion in the list of castles of Lozère recalls its regional heritage importance.

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