Carlat

Carlat
Chateau of Celles
Coat of arms
Carlat
Location within Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region  Carlat
Coordinates: 44°53′25″N 2°34′03″E / 44.8903°N 2.5675°E / 44.8903; 2.5675Coordinates: 44°53′25″N 2°34′03″E / 44.8903°N 2.5675°E / 44.8903; 2.5675
Country	France
Region	Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Department	Cantal
Arrondissement	Aurillac
Canton	Vic-sur-Cère
Government
• Mayor (2008–2014)	Alain Cousin
Area1	20.88 km2 (8.06 sq mi)
Population (2008)2	288
• Density	14/km2 (36/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code	15028 /15130
Elevation	480–906 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. 2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Carlat is a commune in the Cantal department in south-central France.

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.