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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Salles-Curan finds its origins in a medieval fortified place, shared between several co-teachers including the Counts of Rodez and the family Guiral-Paret from the twelfth century. In 1237, the bishop of Rodez became the only lord after redeeming the shares of the lords of Severac and Lévezou. This strategic site, surrounded by a enclosure after the Hundred Years' War, was strengthened by the construction of a new castle in 1442 under the impulse of Bishop William of the Tower of Oliergues, marked by his weapons above the gate.

During the Wars of Religion, the castle became a Catholic bastion against Protestant Millau, sheltering even Benedictine nuns fleeing the Calvinist destruction in 1601. The bishops of Rodez lived there regularly until the 18th century, when Jérôme Champion de Cicé declared him uninhabitable and tried unsuccessfully to have him demolished in 1779. Sold as a national property in 1795, it was gradually bought in the 19th century by the Teysseyre family, before being transformed into a school, inn, and then starred hotel-restaurant in the 20th century.

Partially listed as historical monuments in 1928 for its porch, herse and oculus, the castle illustrates the evolution of a medieval fortress as an episcopal residence, then as a place of civil life. His northern wing, known as Hostellerie du Lévézou, welcomed personalities such as Alain Peyrefitte or Zinédine Zidane before its closure in 2012. The East Wing hosted a private school until 2017, continuing its central role in the local community.

The history of the castle is also marked by conflicts internal to the Church, such as the confrontation between Guillaume de La Tour and Pierre d'Estaing for the episcopal seat of Rodez (1429–1332). This last episode accelerated the development of Salles-Curan, where Guillaume de La Tour established part of his administration. The bishops' weapons, like those of Francis d'Estaing on a chimney, still bear witness to this blissful period.

Architecturally, the 1442 castle was distinguished by its three towers, its windows with skylights, and its integration into the village enclosure. The sculpted rose above the daEstaing shield, visible on the classified door, recalls their influence. Despite attempts to demolish and estate divisions, the site retained some of its integrity, becoming a symbol of the Aveyron heritage.

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