Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Lamothe Castle, located in the municipality of Lamothe (Haute-Loire), has its origins in the 14th century with the construction of a castle. This medieval building will serve as a basis for the 17th and 18th century works, which will profoundly transform the site. The remains of the 14th century, including the upper floor and medieval rooms such as the "papal room" with painted ceiling, still remain today.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the castle was rebuilt and embellished by its successive owners, including the Dauphins d'Auvergne, the house of Polignac, and the families of Montboissier-Beaufort-Canillac and Barentin. These transformations incorporate decorative elements from the late eighteenth century, while maintaining traces of the initial medieval structure. Until the French Revolution, the castle remained an aristocratic property.

After the Revolution, the castle became property of the municipality of Lamothe. Some of the buildings are then transformed into a school and a presbytery, marking a radical change in its use. Today, the castle is a private property, partially protected under Historic Monuments since 1988. It preserves remarkable elements such as the remains of the ancient 14th century poterne.

The history of the castle is documented by local research, including the work of Francisque Micolon, who studied its owners and their influence on the region. Among the notable figures are Charles-Paul-Nicolas Barentin de Montchal, Lamothe's last Viscount, as well as personalities such as Madame de Curton, vicomtesse de Lamothe, who marked his social and architectural history.

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