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Origin and history

Château du Mousseau is a former fortified house built in the 15th century in the form of a square, located in the commune of Poil, in the department of Nièvre. Today, there are only two towers of its north facade, unfurled, while those of the south have been shaved. The ditches, almost intact and filled with water, recall its original defensive role.

The fief du Mousseau was attested in 1374 under the seigneury of Girard du Monceau. The northern towers, already described by Baudiau in the 18th century, are the only medieval remains still visible. A modern mansion, probably built in the 18th century, was later added, although it is not on Cassini's map. Sources diverge on its precise dating, but its existence reflects a gradual transformation of the site.

The historical descriptions, such as those of Roland Niaux or François de Galembert, highlight the architectural evolution of the castle, marked by the partial disappearance of its original structures. The ditches, mentioned as "watery" as early as the 18th century, bear witness to the persistence of certain defensive elements despite subsequent changes. The site thus illustrates the transition between a medieval fortress and a more modern residence.

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