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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Marlat Tower is a medieval building located on the commune of Auzers, in the department of Cantal (region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). Dating from the 11th century, it is part of a larger defensive ensemble, now partially extinct. Its rectangular basalt structure initially consisted of several levels: a cellar on the ground floor and residential or military spaces on the upper floors. The tower was raised in the 13th or 14th centuries, adding two additional levels covered by a vault that has now disappeared.

The original access was through a door on the first floor, probably accessible by a wooden ladder or staircase, typical of the defensive buildings of the time. The ground floor, without an original opening, was illuminated by a single window in the middle of the hanger. The current remains also show the traces of a enclosure surrounding the tower, of which only the lower parts remain. These architectural features reflect a dual vocation: seigneurial habitat and strategic defence point.

The Marlat Tower was listed as historic monuments by order of 12 December 1963, thereby recognizing its heritage value. Available sources, including the Merimée and Monumentum bases, highlight its importance in the castral landscape of the Cantal. Today, the ruins offer a material testimony of medieval construction techniques in Haute-Auvergne, where the local basalt was widely used. Their present state allows us to study architectural evolutions between the 11th and 14th centuries.

The site is located at approximately 5175 Marlat, 15240 Auzers, in a rural environment marked by the feudal history of the region. Although the practical information on visits is limited, its ranking makes it a point of interest for those passionate about medieval history and military architecture. Future research could clarify its exact role in the local defensive network or its link with other Cantal castles.

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