Carlat

Carlat
Chateau of Celles
Chateau of Celles
Coat of arms of Carlat
Location of Carlat
Map
Carlat is located in France
Carlat
Carlat
Carlat is located in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Carlat
Carlat
Coordinates: 44°53′25″N 2°34′03″E / 44.8903°N 2.5675°E / 44.8903; 2.5675
CountryFrance
RegionAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes
DepartmentCantal
ArrondissementAurillac
CantonVic-sur-Cère
IntercommunalityCA Bassin d'Aurillac
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Yves Alexandre[1]
Area
1
20.88 km2 (8.06 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
379
 • Density18/km2 (47/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
15028 /15130
Elevation480–906 m (1,575–2,972 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Carlat (French pronunciation: [kaʁla]) is a commune in the south-central French department of Cantal.

The "Rocher de Carlat" or rock of Carlat situated above the picturesque commune was once the site of one of the most powerful and impenetrable chateaux in all of France. It was the seat of Jacques d'Armagnac, Duke of Nemours and often the center of intrigue, resistance and rebellion against the kings of France. Completely razed by order of the king in 1604 to alleviate the inconvenience of rebellious and ambitious southern relatives, hardly a trace of the chateau remains. The site is now a park, open to visitors and commanding sweeping views of the Carlades.

The chateau appears in history as early as the year 839. The presence of Queen Margot, Marguerite de Valois, who sought refuge at Carlat from 30 September 1585 to 15 October 1586, lives on in local lore. Given the site's historic importance as a major fortress of Auvergne, a substantial archeological program is underway to rediscover its treasures.

  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.