Carlat () is a commune in the south-central French department of

Cantal Cantal (; or ) is a rural Departments of France, department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regions of France, region of France, with its Prefectures in France, prefecture in Aurillac. Its other principal towns are Saint-Flour, Cantal, Saint-Flou ...

. The "Rocher de Carlat" or rock of Carlat situated above the picturesque commune was once the site of one of the most powerful and impenetrable chateaux in all of France. It was the seat of

Jacques d'Armagnac, Duke of Nemours Jacques d'Armagnac (4 August 1477), duke of Nemours, was a 15th-century French nobleman and military leader. He served under King Charles VII of France in Normandy and Guienne, and was awarded honours by Louis XI. He also held the title of Count ...

and often the center of intrigue, resistance and rebellion against the kings of France. Completely razed by order of the king in 1604 to alleviate the inconvenience of rebellious and ambitious southern relatives, hardly a trace of the chateau remains. The site is now a park, open to visitors and commanding sweeping views of the Carlades. The chateau appears in history as early as the year 839. The presence of Queen Margot,

Marguerite de Valois Margaret of Valois (, 14 May 1553 – 27 March 1615), popularly known as , was Queen of Navarre from 1572 to 1599 and Queen of France from 1589 to 1599 as the consort of Henry IV of France and III of Navarre. Margaret was the daughter of King ...

, who sought refuge at Carlat from 30 September 1585 to 15 October 1586, lives on in local lore. Given the site's historic importance as a major fortress of Auvergne, a substantial archeological program is underway to rediscover its treasures.

Population

References

External links

Official site
Communes of Cantal {{Cantal-geo-stub

Population

See also

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External links