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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Estang Castle, located in Marmanhac in the Cantal (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), is a small town in the heart of the region. The current building, built in the 17th century, rests on the foundations of a 15th-century building, with circular foothills and a northern door. Its main façade, oriented to the east, features a vaulted portal in basket cove framed with ionic columns, typical of architectural influences of the era.

Inside, a 17th-century core-wall staircase, supported by circular-keyed dogid vaults, leads to an oratory in a wooden cage. This oratory preserves the remains of an altar with retable, testifying to the religious importance of the place. The castle, listed as a historical monument in 2005, illustrates the architectural evolution between the Middle Ages and the modern era, while preserving medieval defensive elements such as the bases of an ancient dungeon.

The estate belongs from the 13th century to the Malpel family, then passes by alliance to the Vigneroux, which preserve it until the 18th century. The last heir of this line, Antoine-Louis d-Estang, bequeaths the castle to his widow, Guillemette Green de Saint-Marsault. She remarried in 1753 with Jean-Joseph de Scorailles, without descendants, marking the end of this family period. In the 19th century, the castle was acquired by Louis Geneste, royal notary of Aurillac, whose son Jean-Baptiste Geneste, civil lieutenant, and grandson Émile, mayor of Aurillac, became its successive owners.

The archives of the castle, rich in historical documents, were transferred in 2009 to the Departmental Archives of the Cantal. Although the castle is not visiting, its designation as historic monuments in 2005 underscores its heritage value. Protected elements include the house, the 15th century remains, and the northern gate, reflecting Renaissance architecture treaties.

The site also preserves traces of its seigneurial past, such as the medieval cellars and the ionic capitals of the portal, which recall the models disseminated by the theoretical works of the period. The absence of a public visit preserves its private character, while allowing researchers to study its history through departmental archives. Its hybrid architecture, combining medieval defenses and classical elegance, makes it a remarkable witness to the evolution of castles in Haute-Auvergne.

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