Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Torsiac, located in the department of Haute-Loire in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, finds its origins in the 14th century with the construction of a rectangular dungeon. The latter, with a basement floor, an elevated ground floor and a square floor arched in a cradle, was modified in the 15th century by the addition of a corbelled staircase turret, latrines, a fireplace and crumb windows. A body of houses flanked by three round towers, probably dating from the 17th century, completed the architectural ensemble.

In the 19th century, the castle underwent radical transformations under the direction of the Clermontian architect Poinson. An imposing round tower was added to the west corner of the house, the roofs were redone, and the dungeon was adorned with mâchicoulis and fanciful niches. This work, carried out between 1853 and 1902, welded the house body to the dungeon and raised the towers of a level, profoundly altering its medieval appearance. The castle then became an architectural symbol of the Alagnon valley.

The dungeon, the only classified element, was inscribed in historical monuments by order of 7 February 1994. It retains original defensive features, such as its north shirt and screw stairs. The outbuildings, partially disappeared (such as a dovecote and a south building), were partly replaced by agricultural constructions in the north. The site illustrates the evolution of the castles, moving from a defensive function to an aristocratic residence modified according to the romantic tastes of the 19th century.

External links