Sédaiges Castle

Sédaiges Castle, locally known as Château de Sédaiges, lies next to the village of Marmanhac, in the Cantal department in France.

Sédaiges Castle was first mentioned in 1230 when it was the seat of a seigniory and owned by Pierre de Sédaiges. In 1408, during the Hundred Years' War, the castle had almost been turned into a ruin. At the end of the war, in the mid-15th century, the Sédaiges' sold the damaged castle to Jean de Caissac.

In 1456 Raymond de Caissac obtained permission to rebuild his castle with towers and machicolations and works started in 1461. It was rebuilt on a square plan around a small courtyard with 4 round corner towers. The keep of the earlier castle was incorporated in the plan; this is the present northeast tower.

In 1729 Sédaiges Castle passed to the Béral de Massebeau family through marriage. Later that century they started to call themselves Béral de Sédaiges. Around 1740 they transformed the castle into a more comfortable residence by enlarging and adding windows and adding woodworks in certain rooms.

Between 1860 and 1872 the castle was altered considerably and dressed in Neo-Gothic style, giving it its present appearance. The general plan was respected but a 3rd floor was added which covered the interior courtyard, all towers were heightened to the level of the old keep and equipped with a walkway, the flagstone on the roof was replaced with slate and windows and doors were framed with neo-15th century decor.

Through marriage and inheritance the castle passed to the Riverieux de Varax family in 1925. They still own it to this day.

At present Sédaiges Castle can be visited for a fee and is exploited as a luxury bed-and-breakfast. Sadly enough they had just closed when I visited. A beautiful castle.

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