Many nobles lived together here in this feudal citadel, using the rocky peak as a military haven, as vassals to the Viscounts of Turenne. In effect, the fortress acted as a frontier post between the Dukes of Aquitaine and the Counts of the Auvergne.
The many marriages between the noble families (Merle, Veyrac, Pesteils, Montal, Turenne CarbonniPre and the Abbots of Aurillac) together with the shifting power structure, all contributed to the construction of many fortified buildings.
The Castle and Pesteil Tower were occupied in 1371 by the English who, during the 100 years war, were fighting from 1357 onwards in the Auvergne and Limousin. Pope Gregory X1 intervened to restore them to the Pesteil family.
Once the 100 years war was over, the Merle citadel enjoyed a long period of prosperity, during which the growing “Cité Ardente” was names “Ville de Merle” (The Town of Merle).
The town suffered a bloody period during the Wars of Religion, with the Huguenots capturing Merle Castle in 1574. It wasn’t until 1576 that it was liberated by Antoine de Veilhan.
The installation in the 17th century by the Duke of Noailles of a garrison of falconers was unable to sustain the town which dwindled steadily and the castles emptied. Travellers and pilgrims preferred travelling on lower ground to taking the river route, and the castles became forgotten about. As insecurity grew, local people left the town and dispersed among surrounding villages.
Despite numerous assaults, such as that of the English occupation in the 14th century and the wars of religion, the Merle citadel remains an exceptional legacy from the past. Thanks to restoration works and the creation of an archeological site, Merle castle lives again. You can rediscover the old homes of the nobles, as well as 14th century livestock raising, farming and housing.
Castle Visits :
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The Merle Towers 
