Domaine des Royautés
03160 St. Léopardin d'Augy
France
0033 (0)4 70 66 24 79
contact@les-royautes.com




The Allier is famous for its royal past. From the 12th century through to the 14th century, castles where built, adapted and have since been rebuilt. Blockhouses, small castles and peaceful country houses illustrate the glorious past of the Bourbonnais, current known as the Allier. The area with the largest 'castle compactness' in France is Agonges, situated less than 10 kilometres south of our domain is host to no less than thirteen castles!

The old defence wall at Château Ainay-le-Vieil, in the west of the Allier is well kept and maintained and was later adapted to the Renaissance. The current occupants have had Ainay since 1467; the castle and associated gardens are open to the public. One of the most beautiful spaces is the vault, built in 1527 in one of the towers. The ceiling decoration is strongly influenced by Italian style. The paintings on the walls date from the sixteenth and seventeenth century.

Château Ainay-le-Vieil is open daily from February till November between 10.00 and 12.00 and 14.00 and 19.00 (July-august 10.00-19.00h) All photographs on this page are of the Château Ainay-le-Vieil. (chateau.ainaylevieil.free.fr)