Château de Bourbon-l'Archambault

The château de Bourbon-l'Archambault, cradle of the House of Bourbon, raises its ruins above the little spa town, in the Allier. This medieval fortress, residence of the lords of Bourbon, had many towers; three remain, called the north towers, as well as remains of curtain walls. The monument has been listed as a historic monument since 1862 and belongs to the Fondation Saint-Louis; an association manages and runs visits.

The route lets you discover, alone or with a guide in period costume, the rib-vaulted rooms of the north towers, then climb to the top of the tower for a panorama over the town and the Bourbonnais countryside.

The association also lets you visit the Quiquengrogne tower, a fine example of medieval military architecture preserved at the Revolution as an annex to the prison, as well as a sixteenth-century canon's house. Costumed activities and a son et lumière show are offered in summer.

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