Timeline

Origin and history

The Manor House of La Cavade, located in Polminhac in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is a castle whose current structure bears the date of 1602. This year marks a major overhaul campaign, transforming a pre-existing medieval building. Traces of this medieval origin remain, such as the departures from the stalls and aircraft differences, as well as elements re-used in the current construction. The plan of the castle is about square, with two circular towers, one of which is south-east with a staircase. It consists of three levels on cellar and one attic, with a main door opening onto a circular porch.

In the 18th century, before 1811, a second body of smaller houses was added to the main structure. Later, in the 19th century, two barns were built, as well as an annex building containing a room with oven. These additions reflect the functional evolution of the estate, probably linked to increased agricultural or residential needs.

The facades and roofs of the castle were listed as historical monuments by order of 1 July 1986, thereby recognizing its heritage value. The castle illustrates a hybrid architecture, mixing medieval, Renaissance and modern elements, reflecting the successive transformations of the site over the centuries.

The main body of the two-storey mansion consists of one room per level, while a cylindrical tower occupies the northwest corner. These architectural features, combined with the additions of the 18th and 19th centuries, make it a representative example of the adaptation of French castles to the changing needs of their occupants over time.

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