The castle of Escorailles is located in the commune of Escorailles, in the department of Cantal, 17 km northwest of Salers.
A fortified enclosure protecting a castrum is mentioned there from the 8th century, the site having been besieged in 767 by Pepin the Short during his campaign against the Duke of Aquitaine.
The ruins of this enclosure are still visible to the north-east and below the village, running on a rocky spur dominating a meander of the course of the Andre.
In the 12th century, a feudal castle was raised higher than the enclosure by the family of the lords of the place, the Scorraille. The village having developed around it, the lords nevertheless left the fortress in the 16th century in favor of the more comfortable Château de la Vigne...
The remains of the 8th century enclosure forming a parallelogram whose angles were confined by towers and those of the 12th century castle remain visible, moreover registered in the Inventory. Two towers are still in good condition.
The site can mark a walk in this picturesque and characterful village.
Inquire at +33 4 71 40 58 08.
