Châteaugay can be explored through two distinctive themes: its historic buildings and its wine-growing landscape. The medieval Château de Châteaugay overlooks the Limagne plain; in the commune, paths lead to vineyards and wide-open viewpoints. When planning your visit, consider whether you want to focus primarily on architectural and local history or on the landscape and winegrowing.
Castle and cultural history
The Château de Châteaugay is a medieval fortified castle and has been classified as a Monument historique since 1911. For the 2026 opening season, guided tours are offered through the keep's rooms, the towers of the fort and La Perrière, the terraces, and the Sainte-Madeleine church. If you want to include the interiors and their history, check the season's tour dates in advance.
The Sainte-Madeleine church also has a historical feature of its own: it houses a 17th-century statue of Saint Mary Magdalene. Another connection to local history is the former Lascombe Mesclier cellar, which the commune of Châteaugay has restored. Its former purpose and restoration add another aspect to the local heritage alongside the castle and church.
The Espace Culturel de la Bionne was completed in September 1887 and was long known as the « new church ». After volunteers saved the building in the late 1980s, it hosted various events; the municipal heritage website notes that it continues to be used for cultural purposes today. Châteaugay thus brings together buildings from different historical periods and contexts: the medieval fortified castle, the church, and a later building used for events.
Vineyards, paths and panoramas
The wine-tourism trail passes through the vineyards of the commune of Châteaugay, an area designated AOC Côtes d’Auvergne. From the Calvary on the hill, enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the Chaîne des Puys, the Monts du Forez, Chanturgue and Gergovie. The vineyards are therefore not the only focus: the view takes in several named landscape features.
The Les coteaux du plateau de Lachaud path offers another viewpoint. From there, you can see the Chaîne des Puys, Riom, the Limagne, the Montagne Bourbonnaise and the Monts de la Madeleine. You can also discover Châteaugay's former cellars along this path. The two routes can be distinguished by the views described for each: the wine-tourism trail offers a panoramic vista from the Calvary, while Lachaud brings a different set of landscapes and places into view.
The location of the vineyards also shapes the character of the area. They lie mainly on slopes facing east, southeast and south, on an ancient maar explosion crater. Pépérite, a rock characteristic of Châteaugay, is found there. The slope orientations, crater and rock give winegrowing a specific connection to the landscape. The designation « AOC Côtes d’Auvergne DL Châteaugay » was created by a decree of 25 October 2010 and came into effect with the 2011 harvest.
One example of wine production in the commune is the 5-hectare Domaine Tourlonias. It produces red wines from the Gamay grape variety, a Gamay rosé and a white wine from Chardonnay. If you are considering visiting the estate, check the visiting arrangements in advance.
Choosing Châteaugay as a place to stay
If you want to combine culture and landscape, plan around these specific themes rather than assuming a fixed sightseeing itinerary. The dates for the 2026 opening season determine when castle tours are available; check in advance whether visits to Domaine Tourlonias can be arranged.
Discover more destinations: Égliseneuve-près-Billom, Les Ancizes-Comps, Lisseuil, Cunlhat, Châteauneuf-Les-Bains, Le Vernet-Sainte-Marguerite, Miremont, Bas-Et-Lezat.
For the broader travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.
