Hiking - La Ligonne

The Château de Viverols

At the beginning of the 13th century, the Château d’Usson-en-Forez left the
patrimony of the Baffie family. In 1219, they had a pentagonal fortress built on the "Vivairols" mound with 4 round towers, narrow and high windows, a moat, and an entrance gate protected by a drawbridge. Its mission was to watch over, intimidate the enemy, secure the southern lands of the lords of Baffie, and control the trade route. From the highest tower, a watchman surveyed the road coming from Usson-en-Forez; at the drawbridge, the sentinel waited. Defenses were numerous: walls 2 meters thick, the size of the stones, and many loopholes testified to the power of this fortress. During the Revolution, the château became national property and was sold in various lots. Throughout the 19th century, it was gradually dismantled, its finest stones given to villagers and merchants. During the war (1939-1945) and until 1950, the courtyard and outbuildings, which remained intact, housed a holiday camp.