Allègre - Château d'Allègre

A settlement, named Grazac, is known here since 946. It got later named after the noble House of Alègre, who erected a large castle overlooking the village, that was prosperous and even held fairs and markets here.

Today Allègre, still known for the (now ruined) castle only has a population of less than 1000 and suffers from the rural exodus.

The castle was built at the beginning of the 14th century by the Lords of Allegre. Morinot de Tourzel, who held Barony of Allègre from 1385 on, undertook repair and construction work on the surrounding wall. Later the castle got enlarged and with its 23 towers, it was one of the most substantial in the region.

It was ravaged by fire in 1698, and despite attempts to rebuild the following years, the castle did never recover from the disaster It was sold in the 18th century. The owners used the castle like a stone quarry - and only a few ruins are left on the mountain.