The château was built with two round towers under pepperpot roofs and a square tower that served as a keep and to which a building was added in the 18th century.  Among other notables, Princess de Condé and philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau stayed at the château in 1767. Today, the château is a warm and welcoming step back in history for all who visit here. 

The owners are delightful and friendly, and everyone is made to feel at home.  Guest rooms are accessed via the round tower shown above in this photo up an ancient circular stone stairway.  The top floor of the tower houses an incredible miniature automobile museum ~ the collection of the Count from his childhood to the present day.  Guests should be sure to take the tour of the museum. The Salle de Justice and Chapel boast amazing sixteenth century frescoes on the walls and ceilings, and many of the rooms are in their original state with their paneling, floors and ceilings well preserved. 

Now, you can take exciting hot air balloon rides with Montgolfier Salers.  You know, of course, that the Montgolfier brothers invented the hot air balloon, so this is an authentic experience!   Make your reservations to stay in one of the lavish guest rooms at Château de la Vigne and learn more about flying over the magnificent Cantal countryside in a balloon.  It will whisk you away for your amazing flight right from the Château's gardens.

The location of the château is excellent ~ atop a hill overlooking the gentle, rolling landscape of the Cantal with views into the nearby village of Escorailles.  The morning mist over the Monts du Cantal followed by striking sunrises will long be remembered, as will the symmetrical and impressive French style gardens with a panoramic view beyond.  Guest rooms offer great variety from a medieval room with stained glass windows to a spacious rose-colored room with a warming fireplace.  Breakfast is served in the 18th century dining room in front of a roaring fire in cooler weather.  Hostess, Countess Anne de la Tour, loves to cook and is offering cooking courses, and both the Count and Countess give French Language Immersion classes.

Open Easter through October.
On site:  garden and park, walking distance to the villages of Ally and Escorailles.
Vicinity:  swimming pool, tennis, hiking, climbing Puy Mary (1787 meters), Forêt de Miers, Gorges de la Maronne, Cascade de Salins, Aurillac (Abbey de Saint-Géraud with its splendid nave; Eglise Notre Dame aux Neiges has a Black Virgin from the  XVIè century.), Mauriac with 2000 years of history (Romanesque Basilique Nôtre Dame des Miracles, the Benedictine Monastery of Saint-Pierre, both begun in the 12th century, and remarkable and well-preserved houses from the 18th century), St-Flour (the Garabit Viaduct, Grandval Dam and Château d'Alleuze ruins), and Salers (church with 12th century porch and sculpture called the Entombment from 1495).

From Bordeaux: by auto take the A89 direction Brive, then the N89 direction Tulle, direction Argentat on the N120, direction Pleaux on the D980, and to Ally by the D680.  Château very well signposted.

From Paris: by auto take the A10 to Orléans; continue south on the A71 as far as Clermont - Ferrand.  Take the A89 changing to the D922 direction La Bouraboule. Continue on the D922 to Bort-les-Orgues all the way to Mauriac where you'll take the D681 into Ally.  Château well signposted.

Airport:   Clermont-Ferrand (Lyon & Toulouse somewhat farther) 
Railway Station:  Aurillac from Paris Gare de Lyon via Clermont-Ferrand or from Paris Gare Austerlitz via Brive-la-Gaillarde

Car Rental Aurillac Railway Station (click here)

Michelin Map to Château