Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Larguiès Castle, located in Salles-Curan in Aveyron, has its origins in a strong house mentioned at the end of the 14th century. Its current construction began in the late 16th century, marking an architectural transition between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The building stands out for its rectangular, three-level plan, flanked by two round turrets and square dauchuettes. Although the interior was largely transformed in the 19th century, carved elements (gateway, skylights, chimneys) remain, bearing witness to its past.

The castle is linked to several noble families, including the d'Albert de Pollier, owners from 1339 until the 16th century. By marriage alliances, it passes to the Alazard (mid-16th century), then to the de Méjanes, who carry out works attested by a sculpted coat of arms above the door. In the 18th century, Gaston's family became the owner, with Bernard-Albert de Gaston, an anointed figure in 1758. These successions reflect the social and political dynamics of the Rouergue.

Ranked a historic monument in 1981 for its facades and roofs, the castle dominates a plateau near Lake Pareloup, north of the village. Its hybrid architecture (defensive and residential) illustrates the evolution of the wheeled castles between Renaissance and modern times. Visits are now limited to outsiders, preserving an emblematic heritage of Occitanie.

The archives mention key figures such as François Alazard (Lord of Larguiès in 1546), Marguerite de Méjanès (who brought the castle to the Cassagnes by marriage), or Antoine de Guitard, prosecutor of the king in Rouergue. These families, often linked to justice or local government, embody the castle's anchor in regional history.

The building retains traces of its military use (slide with lost screws in the north-west tower) and residential (inner roads). The 19th century transformations, although poorly documented, suggest an adaptation to modern needs, partially erasing its medieval character. Today, he remains a witness to the strategies of alliances and power in Aveyron.

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