La Barge Castle

La Barge (15 km from the Thiers-Ouest exit of the A72 Clermont-Ferrand - Lyon motorway).
The Château de la Barge is surrounded by 18th-century parkland and gardens with pathways creating vistas. Built on a preserved feudal foundation, the château was embellished during the Renaissance (terraces, chapel, garden, etc.) and in the 18th century, the estate was restructured for aesthetic purposes (organized vistas, etc.) and to facilitate agriculture (2-hectare ornamental kitchen garden, park, and fields).

Two large reception rooms are located in the outbuildings of its picturesque farm (listed as a Historic Monument), including a hunting lodge, wine cellar, and dovecote.

Nearby, châteaux to visit include Vollore-Ville, Aulteribe, Ravel, and Les Martinanches. There is also a water sports center: Lake Aubusson d'Auvergne. The Romanesque church is in Courpière. Thiers, "City of the Knife for 5 Centuries," has a cutlery museum. The pottery museum is located in Lezoux.