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Origin and history

The Château de Clavières, located in the town of Ayrens (Cantal, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), was originally a 13th century castle, destroyed in the 16th century. It was rebuilt in a neo-medieval style called "troubadour", surrounded by a wooded park, a pond and entrance pavilions. Together, today disappeared, was known for its monumental portal and commons, but a devastating fire on May 25, 1936 reduced the castle to ruins. The remaining remains were finally destroyed after successive sales, depriving Ayrens of its heritage.

Before its destruction, the castle had experienced a turbulent history, marked by frequent changes of owners. In the 16th century, it was a Calvinist den under Gilbert Giscard, before being confiscated and dismantled in 1579 by M. de Canillac. The noble families followed each other, such as the Cardaillacs, the Montrognon de Salvert, or the Capelles, one of whom, Antoine François Capelle, committed suicide in the grand hall in 1727 after the destruction of his crops by hail. The estate was restored in 1760 by Étienne de Salle du Doux, before moving on to Pollalion and then to La Salle de Rochemaure, including a member, the Duke of La Salle de Rochemaure, was a notable occitan writer.

The property was sold several times, especially in 1647, when Antoine de Mouret, Baron of Montarnal, exchanged the seigneury of Clavières against that of Anglers in Aveyron. The descriptions of the notarial acts reveal a modest castle for the period: six vaults, two rooms, rooms covered with slates, and straw outbuildings. After the 1936 fire, the two entrance pavilions were sold separately, making access to the park impossible. Today, there is no vestige of the castle, nor of its once renowned park.

The medieval origins of the site date back to 1284, when Rigaud d'Albars, a knight, and his son Peter paid tribute to it. The fief then passed by alliance to the Guirbaults, then to the Giscards, before being taken over by the Cardaillacs after his confiscation. The family of Montrognon de Salvert developed agriculture there in the 18th century, while the Capelle, advisers to the Presidial d'Aurillac, marked the history of the estate with personal dramas. Despite its disappearance, the castle remains associated with the literary memory of the Duke of La Salle de Rochemaure, figure of the Félibrige.

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