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Origin and history

The Castrum de Pestillac (or Pestilhac) is a medieval fortified site located in the Lot, on the commune of Montcabrier, on the outskirts of Quercy and Périgord. Placed on a rocky spur overlooking the Thèze valley, it was the residence of the Barons of the Châtaigneraie and included tower houses, two adjoining churches and fortifications. Its strategic importance extended to several surrounding municipalities, including Montcabrier, Cassagnes and Duravel, reflecting its central role in the Middle Ages.

The Pestilhac family, attested as early as 1030, was linked to the local nobility, like the lords of Gourdon. During the Albigois Crusade (1209-1229), she supported the Count of Toulouse, which led to the seizure of the castrum by Simon de Montfort in 1214. Re-established in 1229, the site was later marked by conflicts with the royal bastide of Montcabrier, founded in 1298. In 1346, Amalvin of Pestilhac, allied with the English, was killed, and the castrum destroyed after a battle.

The castrum underwent several architectural phases, notably for its castral chapel, composed of two adjoining churches. The oldest, dating from the 11th century, features painted decorations and masonries typical of Romanesque art. The second, more elaborate, was built at the end of the 12th century, with an adorned gate and a seigneurial stand. These stylistic elements reflect the Angelian and Perigordin influences of the time.

The ruins of the castle and church of Pestillac were classified as historical monuments in 1926. The site illustrates the feudal dynamics and tensions between local lords and royal power, notably through the trimming of 1287 and the foundation of Montcabrier. After the 14th century, the castrum was gradually abandoned, but its remains remain a major testimony to the medieval history of Occitania.

Excavations and archaeological studies revealed traces of painted decorations, carved patterns and defensive structures, such as a frame gallery. The chapel, the capital of the Archpriest, shows the religious importance of the site. Written sources and stylistic analyses allow to date the construction campaigns between the 11th and 13th centuries, with subsequent redevelopments.

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