Chateau d'Anjony
The chateau of Anjony was built by Louis d'Anjony, one of Jeanne d'Arc's "compagnons" who received instructions from King Charles VIIth to protect the surrounding countryside ; Anjony keep is still here, intact and proud a very characteristic example of the small XVth century mountain fortresses. Its history was tumultuous in the XVth and XVIth centuries, as a genuine vendetta existed between the Anjony family and the Tournemire family, very close neighbours and rivals. A more welcoming and more modern main building was added in the XVIIIth century to the austere medieval construction.
The visitor will see a rich interior decorated with remarkable XVIth century frescoes and furniture from various periods of life in the chateau. The residence has been inhabited by the samne family since its construction.
Located north-east of Aurillac.
Chateau de Saint-Chamant
In a remarkable position overlooking the valley surrounded by the Cantal moutains, the chateau (a classified historical monument) consists of a XVth century keep of military origin, one of the fiefs of Robert de Balsac, the King's Chamberlain, Seneschal of Agenais and Gascony among others. In the XVIIth century, the Lignerac, Dukes of Caylus, built a large main building which now holds a remarkable collection of Aubusson tapestries. The present family has maintained this collection since 1783.
As well as the Aubussons, the visitor can admire XVth century Handers tapestries, a XVllth century reredos in the chapel, the large staircase and the wainscoting. The whole collection is classified.
Located NE of Aurillac.
Chateau de Pesteils
Majestically poised on a steep rock, the ancient "fortress of Polminac" proudly
overlooks the Cere Valley. Fourty meters high and crowned with machicolation, the imposing dungeon symbolises the past glory of the castle of Pesteils and evokes
the Middle Ages. The 17th century added many beautiful painted ceilings to the castle
main body. Beautiful antique furniture can be admired throughout the whole castle. Enlarged and renovated in the 19th century, the castle has been the property of the de Cassagne de Miramon Pesteils family since 1608. The de Cassagne de Miramon Pesteils family live in the castle to this day.
Located NE of Aurillac.
Chateau de la Tremoliere
Situated in the village of Anglards de Salers, this chateau which was built in the XVth century, was the seat of a seigniory belonging to the Montclar family. On both floors there is an exhibition of tapestries known as "d'Anglards de Salers", and XVIth century Aubusson tapestries showing trees, discovered at the beginning of the 20th century by the parish priest and restored in 1926. These exceptional tapestries depict a bestiary as naive as it is picturesque, but also unicorns, dragons, villages and chateaux, all forming a warm decor contrasting with the finely painted XVIIIth century wainscoting.
Chateau de Sedaiges
A military stronghold dating from the 12th century, Sedaiges was witness to and participated in the battles between the English and French in the Auvergne of medieval times. Reconstructed as a fortress in the 15th century and then embellished in the 18th, this impressive castle is also a unique example of 19th century "troubadour" architecture. Having remained in the same family throughout its history, its spectacular decor has been preserved intact.
Located near Marmanhac.
Chateau de Villeneuve-Lembron
The chateau was built during the Renaissance by Rigaud d'Aureille who was a butler of Kings Louis XI, Charles VII, Louis XII and Francois I. The chateau is symmetrical, built around a square tower which is surrounded by arcades. The Lord's apartment contains a gallery decorated with famous XIVth and XVIIth century frescoes: satirical themes of the times called "Chiche Face", and "La Bicorne", allegorical scenes, philosophical illustrations of the "vieil homme de cours" (the old courtier) and friezes showing coats-of-arms. There are large stables decorated with mythological themes showing the joys of nature opposed to the violence of war.
Chateau de Chateaugay
This fortified chateau which towers so majestically over its village, is the famous chateau of Vigosche today called Chateaugay. Its beautiful architecture is of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period. The XIVth century keep which is completely intact has never been restored. From the top of is 162 steps you can see the "Chaine des Puys" (mountain range), the Limagne plains and Tournoel. This "gay" chateau (hence Chateaugay) has nevertheless witnessed several sordid affairs: Pierre II de Giac poisoned his wife, the mistress of Jean Sans Peur, in 1426. For lighter memories of the place, we have only to think of the unpretentious Chateaugay wine which Henry IV, it is said, held in high esteem. In the Gaycoeur wine-cellar on the ground floor of the keep, this "Auverne nectar" can be sampled.
Located north of Clermont-Ferrand.
Chateau de Vollore
Vollore has been known in the history of Auvergne since the VIth century when Thierry, the son of Clovis besieged it in 532. The fortress, whose imposing Romanesque keep still exists today, was built in the XIIth century by the ancient Vollore family. The chateau was then passed on to families from Thiers, and Chazeron, and in the XVIIth century the Montmorin family transformed it and gave it its present aspect. Vollore has been in the same family for two centuries and is today the home of the descendants of le General de la Fayette in Auvergne.
Chateau de Lespinasse
This fortress was standing before the 12th century. It has always been lived in, and escaped destruction and bad restorations. It is the most ancient monument in the region of Brioude. In 1110 a tower was built to protect the castle against the English. In 1187, the Chevalier d'Aure, Seigneur de Lespinasse, was a companion of Philippe Auguste, King of France during the third Crusade. In 1358, the ancient round tower was changed into a square keep by Chevalier Erard I d'Aure, with the premission of Louis II de Bourbon. His son, Louis, married in 1425 la Dauphine Jeanne d'Auvergne when she was 15 and whose father had died at the battle of Azincourt. At this period were built the round towers and the rempart wall. On the lintel of the main room of the first floor, the engraved blason d'Auvergne can always be seen as a testimony of this princely wedding. On April 1786, Joseph de Lespinasse sold the Marquisat of Langeac to General La Fayette for 18,800 livres.
Chateau de Ravel
The castle of Ravel dates from 1147 and its first occupant was Pierre de Ravel. It became a royal residence under Philippe III le Hardi and Philippe le Bel. It was later inherited by the Chauvigny, d'Amboise, de la Rochefoucault, Combourcier du Terrail and the d'Estaing families. It was bought in 1806 by Charles de Riberolles de Beaucene, and the same family owns it to this day. This powerful fortress of the Middle Ages with its XIIIth century keep and its five towers, one of which is octagonal was embellished at the end of the XVIIIth century by the Amiral d'Estaing who left several nautical souvenirs.
Located 6 km SW of Thiers.
Chateau de Parentignat
Chateau de Parentignat is the ancestral home of the Marquis de Lastic. Built in 1707 by Francois de Lastic, Captain of the "Roy Infanterie" regiment, on the foundations of an old fortified house. A terrace borded by centernial orange trees and rose bushes overhangs the chateau's wonderful "parc a l'Anglaise". A striking contract is provided by the magnificent drive-way, the "cour d'honneur", with its architectural precision of the six lawn parterres in their original 18th century style and the lime tree walk planted in the perspective of the facade. Already cited in the 18th century as one of the most richly decorated houses in the area, the chateau was baptised by Henry Pourrat, the famous Auvergnat writer, as the "little Versailles of Auvergne". Spared by the French revolution, one still finds some of the original furnishing.
Chateau Dauphin
The chateau Dauphin is a very well preserved example of medieval military architecture, built in the XIIth century by Robert Dauphin, Count of Auvergne, to defend the Sioule bridge, and completed in the XVth century by Field-Marshal Gilbert III de la Fayette. Of these buildings only the keep and six towers remain. The chateau is inhabited by descendants of the More de Pontgibaud family who have owned it since 1756. The interior was restored to its former character by Count Cesar III at the end of the XIXth century.
Located near Pontgibaud.
Chateau d'Opme
This fortress held the mountain pass leading from Clermont to Le Puy-en-Velay and belonged to the Counts, and then the Dauphins of Auvergne. Its original construction dates back to the end of the 11th century, making it one of the oldest castle in Auvergne. Built around an inner courtyard, the living quarters were surrounded by five towers, three of which remain today. In the 13th century a square keep replaced one of the corner towers. The chateau was captured by the English in 1381 and freed in 1393 by Marshals Bouciaut and Sancerre. In 1613 Antoinde de Ribeyre, Treasurer of France, became the owner of Opme and carried out considerable works, respecting the style of the period. A main entrance and inside staircase were built and large windows with mullions were opened up, marking the fortress, once so austere, brighter and more elegant. Finally the Ribeyres had two terraced gardens set out in the south, in the style of Le Notre, one with a circular pond, and the other with a Renaissance fountain believed to be designed by Androuet du Cerceau.
Located south of Clermont-Ferrand.
Chateau de la Batisse
At the foot of the famous Gergovie plateau, on the green banks of a river, as beautiful as an engraving, La Batisse stands surrounded by French-style gardens designed by Le Notre. With its ornamental lakes and its fountain-basins, the charm of its rocky caves and its maze of hedges, its famous path leading to four water-falls, la Batisse and the park together form a harmonious ensemble. Built between the XVth to the XVIIIth centuries, the interior offers the visitor a view of a beautiful suite of apartments decorated with frescoes and tapestries, and intersting pieces of XVIth, XVIIth and XVIIIth century furniture.
Chateau de Conros
Conros has stood since the Middle Ages on a rocky spur overlooking the river Cere which winds through magnificent wild countryside. The imposing medieval keep, flanked by a main building and two round towers one of which has machicolation and a pepperbox turret, was transformed during the Renaissance into a majestic residence. Conros has been inhabited by the same family for more than four centuries.
Located east of Aurillac.
Chateau de Saint-Vidal
This imposing fortress in the valley of the river Borne was the fief of the de la Tour de Saint-Vidal family. Originally, in the 13th century, it was a fortified house which the Saint-Vidals extended in the 14th and 15th centuries. It was converted in the 16th century by Antoine II de la Tour de Saint-Vidal, and adapted for artillery with a keep being added to the existing three towers; a defensive wall was also built. Antoine II de Saint-Vidal was appointed Governor of Velay and Gevaudan. As Head of the League he fought the protestants and rebelled against Henry IV who had Saint-Vidal besieged in 1591. The castle has kept its feudal origins with its vaulted cellars and a pointed style kitchen with enormous fireplaces.
Chateau Lavoute-Polignac
For one thousand years and more, Lavoute Polignac has been dominating the Loire river. Extended in the 13th and 14th centuries, modified in the 16th and 17th centuries, the dwelling place is well proportioned, sober and graceful adorned with a Renaissance garden, and boasts an important art collection which belongs to the famous Polignac family.
Located north of Le Puy-en-Velay.
