Montferrand Castle

Montferrand Castle, locally known as Château de Montferrand, lies east of the village of Montferrand-le-Château in the Doubs department in France.

Montferrand Castle was first mentioned in 1230.

The lords of Montferrand were a warring family; they came into conflicts with several local lords and archbishops and destroyed several castles belonging to their adversaries. One of them; Richard de Montferrand, was murdered in the castle in 1353, probably by his niece and Humbert, Lord of Ornans. That same year the Montferrands lost their home as the castle was confiscated by John II of France.

Through the marriage of Jeanne de Montferrand with Anselme de Salins-de-la-Tour part of the seigneury passed into the hands of the latter in 1354. Later that century Anselme managed to acquire the castle and the rest of the seigneury. After the Lords of Salins other owners followed during the next centuries; subsequently the House of Vergy and that of Achey and Grammont. They however did not reside in the castle.

In 1594, in anticipation of the imminent invasion of the Franche-Comté region by the armies of Henry IV of France, Montferrand Castle was the subject of a military review of its arms and soldiers.

The Lord of Chenecey, Antoine de Pillot, acquired the castle in 1606.

Up until the Ten Years' War (1632-1642) the castle was inhabited by subjects of the seigneury. After the war Montferrand lost its military importance and quickly fell into disrepair. A fire and bad weather also caused damage. So by 1683 the castle was described as a ruin. During later centuries the present village of Montferrand grew up and the castle ruin was used as a stone quarry by the locals.

At present Montferrand Castle is freely accessible. A nice ruin with a tower on a commanding position with great views and overgrown walls in the forests.

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