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Origin and history

The Château de Lescure stands on a mound overlooking the Brezons valley, in the commune of Saint-Martin-sous-Viguroux, in the Cantal department. It consists of a rectangular tower of four floors, originally built in the 11th century, and covered with mâchicoulis. This tower, originally accessible by a ladder leading to the first floor, was partially destroyed during the Hundred Years War, then restored in the 15th century with one floor less. A house corps was added in the 17th century, completing the current architectural ensemble.

Historically, the castle belonged in part to the Brezons family, whose duchess of Harcourt inherited it in 1668. Another part was owned by the families of Gasc, then Bonnafos de Bélinay, until the marriage of Marguerite de Bonafos in 1714 with Guillaume de Lastic-Viguroux, lord of the Fontio. The castle was briefly acquired by Voltaire as a mortgage for a usury loan granted to M. de Lastic, but this act was annulled by a decision of the parliament. Today, the site hosts a cottage and guest rooms.

The Château de Lescure illustrates the architectural changes and property changes typical of the French medieval castles, marked by conflicts such as the Hundred Years' War and strategic family alliances. Its history also reflects the financial and legal practices of the Ancien Régime, as evidenced by the episode involving Voltaire.

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