Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Roffiac Castle, formerly Belcastel, is a medieval building located in the commune of Roffiac, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Dated from the 15th century, today there remains only a single tower and fragments of walls, witness to its past. The tower, formerly connected to a semicircular structure, houses a stone staircase of 90 steps, serving floors by eight doors. This monument, though partially disappeared, illustrates the defensive architecture of the era.

The tower of Roffiac Castle presents a spiral stone staircase, characteristic of medieval military buildings. The fourth floor, probably a guard room, gave access to the round road. The vault of the stairway is decorated with a beam of radiant arches, with seven arch keys arranged between the arches. These architectural details highlight the strategic importance of the site, although its current state is fragmentary.

The castle was listed and then declassified from historical monuments: the old "old castle" building was registered in 1942 before this protection was repealed in 2018. The tower, which was classified the same year, was also revoked. These changes reflect the evolution of the criteria for preserving heritage, while leaving a vestige emblematic of local history.

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