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Origin and history

The ruins of the 11th century dungeon, dominating the Aubusson site, mark the ancient origins of this fortified city. The Viscounts of Aubusson, branch of the House of Limoges, raised a dungeon on the site of a Roman castelum between the 10th and 11th centuries. The fortification plan was developed three centuries later, reflecting the evolution of the defence needs of the Viscount.

Between 1470 and 1475, Jacques Armagnac, Count of the Marche, built a house in the enclosure, transforming the fortress into a seigneurial residence more suited to his rank. The ensemble then adopted an elongated oval shape, occupying the entire terrace overlooking the city. These developments marked the architectural climax of the site, before its political decline.

The fortress was almost completely razed in 1632 by order of Cardinal de Richelieu, as part of his policy of dismantling internal strongholds deemed rebel or useless. This systematic dismantling was aimed at weakening local authorities and centralizing the Royal Authority. Only parts of the south and west walls of the late 15th century buildings survived.

In 1673, the ruins welcomed the collegial chapter of Moutier-Rozeille, transferred to Aubusson after the destruction of its original site. This chapter, a community of canons, gave its name to the hill (Chapter Hill) and occupied the remains until the Revolution. The ensemble retained a religious and symbolic function, despite the disappearance of its military vocation.

Today, the remains of the castle, protected since 1964 as part of the Historical Monuments, are limited to a section of the south wall and part of the west wall of the buildings erected between 1470 and 1475. Their state of conservation reflects the successive destruction and the absence of regular maintenance, although the municipality now owns it. These ruins recall the strategic role of Aubusson, a crossroads between Limousin, Auvergne and Marche, and the power of local Viscounts before their gradual integration into the royal domain.

The hill of the Chapter, on which these remains rise, offers a view of the city and the Creuse valley. This site, although not much highlighted, remains a tangible testimony of the political and architectural transformations of the region, from the Middle Ages to the modern era. Its history, interspersed with that of the tapestry of Aubusson, a major activity since the 14th century, illustrates the shift from a feudal economy to artisanal and commercial prosperity.

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