Castle of Pionsat

The Château de Pionsat is unique in the Auvergne because it combines two different architectural styles: medieval and Renaissance.
Each main building has been listed as a Monument Historique (Renaissance wing since 1920) and as a Monuments Historiques (medieval wing since 1962).
Château de Pionsat is unique in the Auvergne region for its combination of two different architectural styles: medieval and Renaissance.

A treasure trove of early Arvern coins, mostly gold, bearing the name of Vercingetorix, was found on this land. It was probably Humbert de Beaujeu, Constable of France, who built the first defensive keep in the 12th century to consolidate his power. Bernard de Ventadour subsequently inherited the lands of Pionsat and Montel-de-Gelat, before selling them to Guillaume Aubert (a wealthy financier) around 1345. On the border between the English (now Aquitaine) and French kingdoms, Pionsat and Les Combrailles were at the heart of tensions during the Hundred Years' War. The Auberts were therefore obliged to build a stone castle to protect the population and defend the surrounding territory from the many threats.
In 1482, Gilbert Motier IV de La Fayette (a distant relative of the Auberts) sold Pionsat castle to Jacques II de Chazeron. This was the golden age of the Chazeron family, whose descendants served in the households of several kings of France, right up to Henri IV.
The positions held by the family members with the kings of France brought them substantial income, enabling them to transform the medieval château and build a château in a style that was new at the time, that of the Renaissance.

Few Renaissance castles were built in Auvergne, but many were transformed.

In Pionsat, a new ensemble was created with large proportions and, for the Renaissance part, an original decorative style: "vermiculated bossing", of which Pionsat was the "exclusive" in Auvergne and perhaps beyond. Mullions, pediments, etc. can all be seen.
In 1604, the property passed into the hands of the De Chabanne family until the French Revolution.
Divided up and sold in the 19th century, it's only since the end of the 20th century that the buildings have benefited from renovation and protection work.
The commune of Pionsat, current owner of the Renaissance section, is pursuing studies and investments to safeguard and enhance the cultural and tourist value of this château, a great testament to the audacity of the men of the Combrailles and an architectural jewel of the Auvergne.

Partner of the Route Historique des Châteaux d'Auvergne.

A heritage guide is available for €3 in our four tourist information offices: Saint-Gervais-d’Auvergne, Châteauneuf-les-Bains, Pontgibaud and Les Ancizes-Comps, as well as on our online shop. It presents the history of Pionsat Castle, between its medieval section and Renaissance wing.