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Origin and history

The castle of Sedaiges, located in Marmanhac in the Cantal, is an emblematic monument combining medieval and neo-Gothic architecture. Built in 1461 after the ruins of the Hundred Years' War, it was initially fortified with five towers connected by house bodies. This castle, which has remained in the same family since 1442, preserves original furniture and decorations from all ages, including costumes, everyday objects and toys, testifying to its uninterrupted history.

The family of Sedaiges, present since the 13th century, sells the estate in 1442 to Jean Calsac (or Caissac), a rich bourgeois of Aurillac. In 1452 he obtained permission to build a castle with towers and mâchicoulis. The estate then passed on to the family of Caissac, which transmitted it over ten generations, before being inherited by the Béral de Massebeau in the 18th century, then by the family of Riverieux de Varax, the current owner.

The castle underwent major changes in 1741, with the enlargement of the openings and the addition of woodwork, then around 1865 under the direction of architect Parent. The latter remodelled the building in a neo-Gothic style, adding a round path to the towers, covering the central courtyard to make it a hall, and decorating the interiors in a style inspired by the late Gothic. These works preserve the general plan of the castle while giving it its present appearance.

Located in the historical monuments since 24 September 1987, the Château de Sedaiges is distinguished by its remarkable park, including an orchard, a vegetable garden and water parts. It embodies both the medieval heritage of the region and the architectural transformations of the 19th century, while remaining a living place, open to visits, weddings and guest rooms.

The uninterrupted transmission of the castle within the same families, from Caissac to Béral de Sedaiges and then to Riverieux de Varax, makes it a rare testimony of historical and heritage continuity. The archives and furniture preserved on site offer a unique overview of the aristocratic and bourgeois life in Haute-Auvergne, from the 15th and 19th centuries.

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