Château d'Arlempdes

Arlempdes

Standing on a volcanic pinnacle above the gorges of the newborn Loire, Arlempdes is held to be the first fortress marking the river's course: a "first château of the Loire" perched in the Velay. The oldest parts date from the 12th century and the building is first mentioned in 1267. From the 12th to the 15th century it belonged to the lords of Montlaur, before passing to the Poitiers-Valentinois family: Diane de Poitiers, favourite of King Henri II, bore the title of Lady of Arlempdes. These owners carried out major rebuilding and restoration work in the 15th and 16th centuries, as witnessed by the Renaissance porch that marks the entrance. Reputed impregnable thanks to its strategic position on the rocky spur, the stronghold keeps within its walls the castle chapel of Saint-Jacques, built in red stone in the 12th century: the oldest and best-preserved element of the site, fully restored in 2004. Ruined today but open to visitors, the château offers from its ramparts a breathtaking sheer drop onto the young Loire as it winds around the rock.

Getting there : In the heart of the village of Arlempdes, south of Le Puy-en-Velay; open from mid-March to mid-October, full price 6 €, guided tours in July-August (2pm-6pm), payment in cash or by cheque only.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound