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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Adiac is an ancient strong house built in the late Middle Ages, probably composed of a dungeon divided into four floors. His absence of solid defences made him vulnerable: he was taken by the Calvinists in 1574 before being taken over by the Baron of Saint-Vidal. The subsequent addition of a wing with a central staircase transformed its plane into a U, retaining a marked defensive character.

In the 18th century, the castle underwent major architectural changes. The bays of the south façade were re-invented, and the interior distribution was re-thought, saving only the first floor of the dungeon. The interior now houses a 17th century staircase with balusters and a living room decorated with paintings probably from the 19th century, testimonies of successive stylistic evolutions.

Partly listed as historical monuments since 1975, the castle of Adiac protects its facades, roofs, carved wooden staircase and two dungeon rooms with their decor. These elements illustrate its turbulent history, between medieval military function and residential adaptations of the following centuries.

The precise location of the castle, in the commune of Beaulieu in Haute-Loire (region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), is attested by the Mérimée and Monumentum bases. Its approximate address '5133 Adiac' suggests a rural settlement, typical of strong houses intended to control a territory during the feudal period.

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