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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Pompignac is a fortified building erected in 1342 by the Count of Armagnac, in the present municipality of Val d'Arcomie (former town of Loubaresse, Cantal). Located in Margeride, a territory marked by its volcanic relief and its strategic role in the Middle Ages, this castle illustrates the defensive architecture of the first half of the 14th century. Its rectangular plan, flanked by opposite turrets (one with a staircase, the other with latrines), reflects the military and residential needs of the time. Inside, vaulted rooms and large fireplaces testify to relative comfort for a castle of this period.

In 1380, the seigneury passed into the hands of the family of Pompignac, which gave its final name to the castle. The sources mention major modifications in 1790, during the French Revolution: two turrets of the house body are shaved, and the round path is removed, partially altering its medieval appearance. These transformations reflect the political upheavals of the time, where feudal symbols were often targeted. Despite these losses, the castle retains significant architectural elements, such as vaulted rooms and monumental fireplaces.

The castle was recognized for its heritage value on October 1, 1941, when it was listed as a historical monument. This official protection underscores its historical and architectural importance, notably as a witness to the seigneurial dynamics in the Auvergne in the lower Middle Ages. Today, there remains a remarkable example of the Margeride castles, although its current state and conditions of visit are not specified in the available sources.

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