Carlat

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{short description|Commune in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France}}

{{for|the psychiatrist|Daniel Carlat}}

{{Infobox French commune

|name = Carlat

|commune status = Commune

|image = Château de Celles.JPG

|caption = Chateau of Celles

|image coat of arms = Blason ville fr Carlat (Cantal).svg

|arrondissement = Aurillac

|canton = Vic-sur-Cère

|INSEE = 15028

|postal code = 15130

|mayor = Yves Alexandre{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les maires|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503|publisher=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=13 September 2022|language=fr}}

|term = 2020–2026

|intercommunality = CA Aurillac Agglomération

|coordinates = {{coord|44.8903|2.5675|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

|elevation min m = 480

|elevation max m = 906

|area km2 = 20.88

|population = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}}

|population date = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}

|population footnotes = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}}

}}

Carlat ({{IPA|fr|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.