Castelsoutro de Vic dans le Cantal

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Origin and history

Castelsoutro, also known as "bass château", is an ancient castle located on the edge of National Road 122, in the heart of Vic-sur-Cère, in the Cantal. It stands out from Castelvielh (high castle), built on a motte overlooking the city. The current building, or reconstructed, dates from the first half of the sixteenth century, a period marked by the legacy of Francis I, who received from his mother Louise de Savoie the Viscount of Carlat. At that time, Vic's bailiff became royal, and Jehan de Cardaillac served as vice-baillier and judge.

Architecturally, the Castelsoutro consists of a two-storey, oblong housing body, partially buried in the south, where remains of a possible ancient dungeon. The facade on the garden features a typical 16th century polygonal staircase tower, as well as a scald similar to that of Comblat Castle, supported by ground crows. The lauze cover, characteristic of the region, includes a skylight added in the 19th century. In the east, part of the castle was modernized in the middle of the same century, while modern buildings were joined on its north face.

Historically, the Castelsoutro served as the seat of the jurisdiction of appeaux and houses for its presidents once it became sedentary. It should not be confused with the house of the bailiff, built around 1620 near the church to house the audience. The castle changed hands several times: owned by Guillaume Teilhard (1562-1646), then by Jehan Teilhard, he then passed to François Pagès (1716-1793), capitoul of Toulouse married to Antoinette de Verdier de Mandilhac. In the 19th century, it belonged to Marie Latapi de Balaguier, wife of Joseph de La Garde de Saignes, then to their heirs. Since 11 June 1990, the castle has not been listed as a historical monument.

Its name, castelsoutro (low castle) or castelnial (new castle), clearly differentiates it from Castelvielh, high castle located outside the walls of the city. This distinction reflects a medieval and reborn organization where the low castles, often integrated into the villages, served as administrative or judicial centres, while the high castles, perched on moths, provided a defensive and symbolic function of power.

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