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Origin and history

The Château Saint Anne de Marcilly-le-Châtel, built in the 12th century on a basaltic piton of volcanic origin, dominates the plain of Forez in the Loire department. This strategic site, occupied from the Gaulish and then Roman times, was mentioned for the first time in 1010 and 1060 in medieval archives. The castle, destroyed and rebuilt in the 19th century, now houses the Volerie du Forez, a centre dedicated to the presentation of raptors in performance.

In 1167 Guy II de Forez obtained from King Louis VII the regal rights over the castle, marking its political importance in the region. Marcilly's seigneury, although owned by the Counts of Forez, was associated with local families such as the Marcilly, some of whom took part in the crusades or performed religious functions. The castle was looted in 1366 by the drivers Bertucat d'Albret and Bernard de La Sale, illustrating the troubles of this period.

The site is also linked to the literature: Honoré d-Urfé, author of L-Astrée, places passages from his pastoral novel. The Saint-Cyr church, formerly dependent on the local priory, was listed as historical monuments in 1991. The village, formerly called Marcilly-le-Pavé, is also famous for its vineyards classified as AOC Côtes du Forez.

Architecturally, the medieval castle, though transformed, preserves traces of its defensive past. Its location on an ancient volcano and theft make it today a tourist place mixing historical heritage and nature. The commune, rural and member of Loire Forez Agglomeration, thus perpetuates a military, agricultural and cultural heritage.

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