The mason
become a castle-owner restores alone this building since 1998.
“Mons Regalis” the royal
mount (because its dominating position, puts up at 289m high,
its donjon dating from the end of the 12th century. The only
witness of this time in this country and its castle dating from
the 13th and 16th centuries.
With
its magnificent inner Renaissance courtyard, its mullioned windows,
hanging balconies, gread screw staircase and vaulted rooms,
Montreal is one of the best fleuret of the castral crown of
Largentiere, with the castles of Brison, Chassiers, Tauriers,
Fanjau (destroyed) Vinezac and Uzer, it kept watch over the
silver mines of Largentiere. The bishops of Viviers, Lords of
these mines stroke coins in the Middle Age.
From
the 13th century to the 19th century several states can be identified.
Belong to the first state the 23 meters donjon a narrow masonned
mantle-wall and a seigneurial home (aula).
1345,
the Romanesque castle built by the Montreal Family, becomes
by marriage the possession of the Balazuc Family. At the And
of the 14th century a second enceinte more extensive than the
first one, having the same plan, and a large building in L are
built against the new enceinte.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the castle knows important modifications.
Four three levelled wings, a staircase tower and outside galleries
are built.
1636,
Montreal becomes again by a marriage, the possession of the
Hautefort de Lestrange Family, who opens the great entrance
door, and in 1665 orders magnificent Aubusson tapestries in
the loving memory of their ancestors, the knights Gontaud de
Biron and Pons de Balazuc who took part in the first crusade.
1742, the Merle de Lagorce Family inherits
the castle. In 1775, it sells the castle with the donjon and
the Joyeuse tower to a certain Simon Lapierre of Montreal who
makes of it a vast farm house…
Nowadays,
the present owner, Hubert Fenestrier, a mason, fascinated by
old buildings, patiently, lonely restores this building in order
to open it to visitors.
In
summer, medieval animations are set up : theatrical visits,
medieval costumes and workshops can help you to discover the
medieval know-how and manners.
