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Origin and history

The castle of Montjézieu, located in La Canourgue en Lozère, is mentioned from the twelfth century in a tribute to the king of Aragon, then owner of the Gevaudan. In the 13th century, it came under the control of the bishops of Mende. The act of trimming of 1307 designates him as Castrum de Monte Judeo, suggesting a possible Jewish presence before the expulsion ordered that same year by the bishop. However, this assumption remains uncertain due to the lack of reliable sources.

In the 16th century, the castle became an issue of religious wars between Catholics and Protestants. Despite an order of demolition issued by the General States of Languedoc between 1653 and 1656, it was not carried out, unlike many other castles in the region. The current remains show traces of work dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, including cross bays and a chimney decorated with the coat of arms of the Jurquet de Montjézieu.

In 1726 Jean-Georges de Jurquet, seigneur of Salelles, acquired the castle and undertook important restorations, adding a new building. The site is partially preserved, with defensive elements such as a round path and remains of the old castle. In 1971, facades, roofs and certain interior elements were listed as historical monuments, protecting this architectural testimony from religious conflicts and seigneurial transformations.

The castle today consists of a three-storey dungeon on vaulted basement, a semi-outwork tower with screw staircase, and adjacent buildings. Some of the ruined walls and remains of the medieval enclosure remain, recalling its fortress past. The raised stair turret also served as a dovecote, illustrating the adaptation of military structures to domestic use after the Wars of Religion.

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