Our take
A fortified castle that its owners have been restoring since 2000, and every ticket sold goes entirely into the restoration work. The visit is led by a guide.
Medieval fortress on its volcanic spur, partly restored, above Volvic. Guided visits in July and August, and on certain autumn and winter weekends.
Standing on its rocky spur above Volvic, the Château de Tournoël overlooks the whole Limagne plain. This medieval stronghold, whose history goes back to around 1200, combines two structures: a square residential keep and a great round keep known as the Philippian keep (13th to 14th century), completed by a gun tower in the 15th. A former fief of the counts of Auvergne that passed to the royal domain, the château keeps Flamboyant Gothic decoration carved around 1450 in Volvic stone, on the old stair tower of the upper courtyard. A private property patiently restored, it can be visited on guided tours, in summer and on certain autumn and winter weekends.
Why we love it
- A medieval fortified castle overlooking the whole Limagne
- The square keep, a residential tower, and the great round Philippian keep
- The Flamboyant Gothic decoration carved in Volvic stone
Top tip
The château can be visited in July and August, on guided visits only (€10 adult, €5 from 6 to 16 and for students, 2026 prices), with several departures a day except on Sunday mornings. Visits are also organised on certain autumn and winter weekends: write to the château to find out the dates. Groups by appointment all year.
Before you go
- Open in July and August, on guided visits. Out of season, visits take place on certain autumn and winter weekends (ask the château for the dates by email), and groups come by appointment all year.
- Closed-toe shoes, the ground is uneven in places.
- Less busy than Murol, so you can breathe.
- Combine it with a stroll around Volvic, it's a stone's throw away and worth the detour
Practical info
- Address
- 10 Rue des Remparts, 63530 Volvic, France
63530 Volvic - MondayClosed
- TuesdayClosed
- WednesdayClosed
- ThursdayClosed
- FridayClosed
- Saturday10h–12h, 14h–18h
- Today14h–18h
Opening hours
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 1,308 reviews on Google Maps.
Community rating
No reader reviews yet: yours gets things started.
It's for you if
- You want to see a fortified castle restored by its owners
- You are coming as a family: €5 for 6 to 16-year-olds in 2026
- You like volcanic stone and thick walls
Give it a miss if
- You are coming outside July and August unannounced: the rest of the year, visits only take place on certain dates
- You plan to visit in sandals: the ground is uneven
Your logbook
Around Château de Tournoël
2 spots in and around Volvic, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
€€Bistrot La Potée
4.4Châtel-Guyon · 4.4 km away
€€Augustine Bistronomie 1890
4.8Riom · 6.3 km away
€€L'Envolée
4.6Riom · 6.8 km away
Where to stay nearby
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
Mountain bikingThe Veygoux loop (mountain bike)
Start: Manoir de Veygoux, Charbonnières-les-Varennes
- 10.1 km
- +174 m
- 2 h
Mountain bikingWorth a read
Articles and guides that mention this place.
Hikes around Château de Tournoël
Mountain bikingThe Veygoux loop (mountain bike)
Start: Manoir de Veygoux, Charbonnières-les-Varennes
- 10.1 km
- +174 m
- 2 h
Mountain biking
On footPuy de Jumes, Puy de la Coquille and Puy des Gouttes
Start: Parking de la D576 en direction de Beauregard
- 14.6 km
- +487 m
- 4 h
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