First written entry XIIe siècle (≈ 1250)
Donation by Bernard de Mouchac to the Abbey.
XVIIe siècle
Modernisation of the castle
Modernisation of the castle XVIIe siècle (≈ 1750)
Transformation into aristocratic residence and destruction of southern buildings.
1885
Fire of the house body
Fire of the house body 1885 (≈ 1885)
Partial destruction of the central building.
1er septembre 1986
Partial protection of the monument
Partial protection of the monument 1er septembre 1986 (≈ 1986)
Listing of facades and roofs in the inventory.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The facades and roofs of the castle, communes and orangery; the grid with its pillars closing the inner courtyard; the balustrade of the west terrace (see AH 15, 222, 225, 226): inscription by order of 1 September 1986
Key figures
Bernard de Mouchac - Lord and donor
Mentioned in an act of donation to the twelfth.
Origin and history
The castle of Mouchac, located in Grézillac in New Aquitaine, has its origins in the 12th century, as evidenced by a donation by Bernard de Mouchac to the Abbey of Sauve-Majure. The site, initially a stronghold, still retains today a defensive quadrangular plan, with two round towers with slots and mâchicoulis surrounding a monumental entrance. These medieval elements, typical of the 15th and 16th centuries, recall its initial military vocation.
In the 17th century, the castle was modernized to adapt to the aesthetic cannons of the era, losing part of its service buildings to the south, replaced by an honor grill decorated with pillars surmounted by pots. This transformation reflects the evolution of castles into aristocratic residences, while preserving traces of their defensive past. Access to the domain is then redeveloped with a forecourt lined with commons and square pavilions, illustrating the importance attached to symmetry and order.
In 1885, a fire ravaged part of the central house body, marking a turning point in the history of the monument. Despite this sinister, the castle retains remarkable elements such as a baluster terrace, an integrated well, and a monumental arcade door. These architectural details, combined with the presence of an orangery and a stable, underline the duality between residential function and medieval heritage. The site, partially protected since 1986, remains a testimony of the successive adaptations of a building throughout the centuries.
The castle of Mouchac is situated in a local environment marked by its link with the nearby parish church, accessible by a direct road from the estate. This geographical proximity suggests a historical relationship between the seigneurial power, embodied by the castle, and the religious life of the community. Today, the monument, privately owned and partly associated with an association, embodies both an architectural heritage and a fragment of the rural history of Girondina.
