The Polignac Fortress
Polignac… A family, a castle, a fief.
A few kilometres away from the Puy-en-Velay, the proud Polignac fortress offers a spectacular sight. One can only have the impression of facing vertiginous fortifications
with its ramparts and dungeon that tower over a high basaltic butte. It is in the heart of this powerful and dominating castle that the outstanding Maison de Polignac came to life.
Its turbulent history mingled with Velay's history, during the Middle Ages, and with France's history between the XVIth and XVIIth century. At that moment, the old fortress was practically abandoned by the Viscounts de Polignac who chose to settle in the Château
de La Voute-Polignac, circled by the Loire, and frequent the court of Versailles. The fortress was seized as a National Good during the French Revolution before going back to being owned by the Polignac family during the XIXth century. Its dungeon has been fully restored. Today, a progressive renovation of the other ruined buildings (such as the Vicomté, the chapel, the forge, the well…) is being undertaken, as a tribute to the early family's tormented history. Visitors (visits are organised from April to November) can therefore have the chance to imagine the past life of this extraordinary world, of this unique esplanade that dominates the Velay mounts.
Today… what used to be an edifice of defence and protection is the entire contrary! A welcoming mountain, a plateau opened to performances, visits and encounters. Soon, it will be a place that will combine experiences of the past with personal emotions, culture and self-discovery. It already offers a « discovery journey » destined to let visitors be the « actors » of their artistic and cultural initiation.
A journey through the Fortress’s architectural treasures, the Polignac family patronage, the creative workshops, the genealogy… With major sites, such as the Watchtower that offers the possibility to admire and listen to the artists supported by the Polignac family or the Dungeon where Son et Lumière shows are given.
A few kilometres away from the Puy-en-Velay, the proud Polignac fortress offers a spectacular sight. One can only have the impression of facing vertiginous fortifications
with its ramparts and dungeon that tower over a high basaltic butte. It is in the heart of this powerful and dominating castle that the outstanding Maison de Polignac came to life.
Its turbulent history mingled with Velay's history, during the Middle Ages, and with France's history between the XVIth and XVIIth century. At that moment, the old fortress was practically abandoned by the Viscounts de Polignac who chose to settle in the Château
de La Voute-Polignac, circled by the Loire, and frequent the court of Versailles. The fortress was seized as a National Good during the French Revolution before going back to being owned by the Polignac family during the XIXth century. Its dungeon has been fully restored. Today, a progressive renovation of the other ruined buildings (such as the Vicomté, the chapel, the forge, the well…) is being undertaken, as a tribute to the early family's tormented history. Visitors (visits are organised from April to November) can therefore have the chance to imagine the past life of this extraordinary world, of this unique esplanade that dominates the Velay mounts.
Today… what used to be an edifice of defence and protection is the entire contrary! A welcoming mountain, a plateau opened to performances, visits and encounters. Soon, it will be a place that will combine experiences of the past with personal emotions, culture and self-discovery. It already offers a « discovery journey » destined to let visitors be the « actors » of their artistic and cultural initiation.
A journey through the Fortress’s architectural treasures, the Polignac family patronage, the creative workshops, the genealogy… With major sites, such as the Watchtower that offers the possibility to admire and listen to the artists supported by the Polignac family or the Dungeon where Son et Lumière shows are given.
Fondations Polignac - Domaine de Kerbastic - 56220 Guidel
Phone : +33 (0)1 44 11 70 74 - Fax : +33 (0)1 44 11 70 71 - Email :
Version Française | Press Review | Contact | Legal mentions | Board of directors | Designed by Eliophot
Phone : +33 (0)1 44 11 70 74 - Fax : +33 (0)1 44 11 70 71 - Email :
Version Française | Press Review | Contact | Legal mentions | Board of directors | Designed by Eliophot