Château-Mairie de Pont-du-Château

At Pont-du-Château, the former feudal château was partly destroyed by fire in 1580 during a plague epidemic. A new château was rebuilt in the 17th century for Guillaume de Montboissier-Beaufort-Canillac (1600–1664), Lieutenant General of the Army, Maréchal de Camp, Seneschal of Auvergne, and Counsellor of State. The château was later(…)

At Pont-du-Château, the former feudal château was partly destroyed by fire in 1580 during a plague epidemic. A new château was rebuilt in the 17th century for Guillaume de Montboissier-Beaufort-Canillac (1600–1664), Lieutenant General of the Army, Maréchal de Camp, Seneschal of Auvergne, and Counsellor of State. The château was later remodelled in the 18th century by Philippe-Claude de Montboissier-Beaufort-Canillac (1715–1797), who added two right-angled wings, one of which housed the stables. He also laid out a park to the north of the town. At the time of the French Revolution, all of this property was seized, and the municipality acquired both the château and the chapel, which was demolished in 1960.

The main façade conceals a pre-existing building. Its central section draws attention with a horseshoe staircase made of Volvic stone, probably inspired by the staircase at the Château de Fontainebleau. This Italianate feature is enhanced by roof balustrades reminiscent of Versailles. The rear façade, dating from the 17th century, opens onto a terrace offering an unobstructed view of the River Allier and the surrounding countryside.

The original interior décor has been preserved. In the coat of arms room, the French-style ceiling, painted in the 17th century, depicts the family tree of the Montboissier-Beaufort-Canillac lineage in the form of 87 coats of arms, among which are those of the two Popes from the family: Clement VI and Gregory XI. The parlour, now the marriage hall, was decorated in the 1760s in the neoclassical style, featuring wood panelling, overdoors representing the four seasons, a marble fireplace, and Versailles parquet flooring.