Saint Saturnin Castle

(Click on the picture)

The Saint Saturnin castle

Towering above the medieval village of Saint Saturnin and facing the romanic church, the Royal Castle of Saint Saturnin is the fief of the family de La Tour d'Auvergne since 1281. It belonged to Queen Catherine de Médicis and Queen Marguerite de Valois, then to King Louis XIII. Remarquably well restored, this important fortress is a perfect example of the military architecture of the Middle Age : moat, ramparts and battlements, crenelations and machicolations. It was enlarged and was improved during the Renaissance till the end of the 15th century.

Its grounds, in restauration, are surrounded by the hills of the Natural Volcanos Park. During the visit of this Historical Monument listed in1886 you will discover the donjon, the main courtyard and the terrace opening on the grounds and the splendid frameworks from 15th. Inside you will visit wide and well furnished rooms and the bedroom of the Queen Catherine de Médicis.

Periods and hours of admission 2009:

Open14 - 18.30 on week ends in mai and june and 10 -19 h every day from july 1. to september 15. Groups (10 persons) on appointment all the year.

On Friday May 1, 2009: exceptional opening of the Castle to the visit the afternoon -14h with 18h30, with departures all 1h30 - at the time of the second Year of the Castles of Auvergne organized by the Historical Road of the Castles of Auvergne:

“Guided tours by the owner on the topic of the defensive system during the Middle Ages.
Access to the keep, the ditches, the covered way and the Room of the Guards. The narrator Brigitte Maurice will reserve surprises throughout the visit to you.

Illuminated visits (one Sunday evening out of two, at 20h30, 12 and July 26, and 9 and August 23)

Events / Animations

Thursday August 6, 2009 with 21h00
QUARTET PRIMA VISTA
Quartets of Onslow, Mendelssohn and Glinka
Tariffs: 20€ /pers, 12€ /child or student
Collation offered with the musicians, at the end of the spectacle
Reservation necessary to the 04 73 39 39 64
private Carpark -->

Saturday 5 till Sunday September 13 2009
Days of the Lights of Saint Saturnin
(tickets on sale near the tourist office)

Within this framework:
- meal of village at the castle Saturdays evenings 5 and 12
and Sundays 6 and 13 at midday.
- exposure of paintings under the famous frames of the castle
private Carpark -->

Admission fees:

Adults: 6€

Group: 5€

Children (+ 6 years) and students: 5€

Children until 6 years: free

Private carpark
-150 places in the enclosure of the park of the castle, with access on the right of the War memorial, Rue principale in Saint Saturnin
(A 75, Exit n° 5, in the south of Clermont-Ferrand).