The first castle in Xaintrailles is mentioned in 1259 as being held by three co-lords, all from the Xaintrailles family. It was built in the early 13th century, and what remains are the medieval outer courtyard, the keep, and the embankments of the south and west walls.
Jean Poton de Xaintrailles, a companion of Joan of Arc who died in 1461, followed by his successors Bernard de Lamothe and Antoine de Chamborel, governors of Casteljaloux, undertook constructions in the 15th century: two towers and the north residential wing. In the 16th century, turrets with fan-shaped projections were added to the south elevation, and moats and a drawbridge are mentioned in 1539. In 1570, the castle passed to the Montesquiou family, and later through marriage to the Lau de Lusignan family in 1724.
Around 1780, Armand de Lau, Marquis de Lusignan, had the moats filled in and an access arranged from the west. In 1824, the northeast rooms collapsed, and in 1843, the keep was partially restored based on the project of Gustave Bourières, the department's architect.
The oldest part of the castle is the 13th-century keep, with windows added in the 15th century. The north residential wing from the 15th century has one square floor and two attic floors with a hipped roof covered with flat tiles. Like the keep, it has an out-of-service staircase. The one-story and attic south building with turrets was renovated (kitchens). The west wing is flanked by two towers.
The U-shaped staircase and vestibule were added in the 18th century.
Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.
The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.