Chazeron is a feudal military fortress. Because of its important strategie position, Philippe Auguste was able to keep the Counts of Auvergne under control in the XIIIth century. Louis XIV honoured the Marquis François de Monestay de Chazeron by coming to the chateau to award him with the "Croix de Chevalier de l'ordre du Saint-Esprit" for his outstanding war achievements. To receive the King, the Marquis bad his fortress transformed by Mansard, in the likeness of Versailles.

In 1940, Blum, Daladier, Raynaud, Gamelin and Mendel were imprisoned here before appearing at the Riom trials.
Over the last 25 years Chazeron, administered by the Cristal Association, has become an important Cultural Centre run by Students and Artists whose contemporary works are forging future history.
There are summer festivals : concerts, theatre, shows, dance, recitals and permanent art courses.

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