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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Château de la Chaux-Montgros, located in Sallèdes in the Puy-de-Dôme, was built around 1550 for the Duke of Albany. Its architecture is distinguished by a massed plan evoking the Middle Ages, while integrating classical elements such as symmetry and regularity. The use of brick chains, uncommon in Auvergne, and the central position of its majestic staircase make it a remarkable building for the time. The roofs were recently restored to their 19th century state.

Ranked Historic Monument by order of 25 May 2000, the castle includes in its protection its terraces, portal, gardens and outbuildings. Although its style combines medieval and Renaissance influences, its structure reflects a desire for architectural modernity, typical of the transition between these two periods. The location of the castle, noted as "a priori satisfactory" (level 6/10), and its precise address (17 La Chaux Montgros) are documented in the Merimée database.

The Château de la Chaux-Montgros illustrates the evolution of constructive techniques in the 16th century in Auvergne, where castles become symbols of power while adopting aesthetic innovations. Its sponsor, the Duke of Albany, although little detailed in the sources, marked the local history with this ambitious project. Today, the site remains a major architectural testimony, protected for its heritage value and originality in the auvergnat landscape.

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