Our take
A fortified castle standing 87 metres above the Sioule, passed from the lords of Chouvigny to the La Fayettes, then to the Duc de Morny, who made it a hunting lodge. You climb up to the terrace, look at the river, and understand why they built it there.
The 13th-century fortress perched above the Sioule gorges.
A medieval fortress of the 13th century perched on a rocky spur above the Sioule gorges. Rebuilt several times on its foundations of 1250, always in the same style (the towers were rebuilt in the 1960s), it gives a plunging view of the river, 87 metres below. Guided visit compulsory, in 2026 at €6 (reduced rate €5, €3 from 6 to 15, free up to 5): the lord's residence and its collection of weapons and armour, the main reception room, the towers, terraces, and temporary exhibitions. Private site open in summer only (in 2026, from 15 July to 23 August, Wednesday to Sunday from 14:00 to 18:00, plus Sunday 20 September for the Journées du patrimoine, the European Heritage Days). To combine with the Route Panoramique des Gorges de la Sioule (D915).
Why we love it
- The plunging view over the Sioule from the château terrace
- The rocky spur underfoot, the river far below
- The two turrets of the gateway and the grand staircase, added by the Duc de Morny
- Towers rebuilt in the 1960s by an enthusiast of medieval architecture
Top tip
Guided visit compulsory, no booking: in 2026, departures at 14:15, 15:15, 16:15 and 17:15, Wednesday to Sunday. Follow on with the Route Panoramique D915 for the rest of the gorges. Open in summer only (in 2026, from 15 July to 23 August): check the dates for the year. Avoid it after rain (slippery staircases).
Before you go
- No booking for individual visits. For more than 10 people, contact the château for hours and group rates.
- 2026 prices: €6; reduced rate €5 (aged 16 to 25, over 65s, large families, jobseekers); €3 from 6 to 15; free up to 5. Cash, cheque or bank card; holiday vouchers (chèques-vacances) not accepted.
- Open in summer only. In 2026: from 15 July to 23 August, Wednesday to Sunday from 14:00 to 18:00 (closed Monday and Tuesday), plus Sunday 20 September for the Journées du patrimoine (European Heritage Days). The rest of the year, the château cannot be visited.
- Combine it with the gorges road (D915) to go home by a different route
- Soft-soled shoes recommended, the floors are uneven
- The château only opens for a few weeks in summer, check the dates before making the journey
Practical info
- Address
- 16 route de la Mairie, 03450 Chouvigny, France
03450 Chouvigny
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 219 reviews on Google Maps.
Community rating
No reader reviews yet: yours gets things started.
Your logbook
Around Château de Chouvigny
2 spots in and around Chouvigny, enough to build your day.
A place to see, a night to spend?
Hotels, gîtes and B&Bs within 20 km of Chouvigny. Availability and online booking.
Worth seeing nearby
You might also like
More castles and heritage in Allier and nearby.
Château d'Anjony
4.5Tournemire · Cantal
1111 reviews
Arlempdes
Arlempdes · Haute-Loire
Gorges de Chouvigny
4.7Saint-Gal-sur-Sioule · Puy-de-Dôme
25 reviews
Château de Busséol
4.2Busséol · Puy-de-Dôme
283 reviews
Château de Murol
4.6Murol · Puy-de-Dôme
10700 reviews
Château-Rocher
4.4Saint-Rémy-de-Blot · Puy-de-Dôme
767 reviews