Château de la Batisse

A château classified as a historic monument since 1970 at Chanonat, with origins going back to the 13th century. But it is the whole estate that is worth the detour: 19 hectares of formal French gardens inspired by Le Nôtre, awarded the “Jardin remarquable” (remarkable garden) label. You come across three fountains, cascades and an 18th-century maze of greenery. Look up, too, at the Grand Châtaignier (the great chestnut tree), awarded the “Arbre remarquable de France” (Remarkable Tree of France) label.