Villemont Castle

The Château de Villemont, in Auvergne, was part of the County of Montpensier (confiscated by Francis I, who thus made the Constable of Bourbon pay for his treason). In 1566, it was visited by King Charles IX, accompanied by his mother, Queen Catherine de Medici, and Chancellor Michel de l'Hospital (who owned the neighboring Château de La Roche). The seigneury of Villemont was raised to a marquisate in 1720 by the Regent. In 1740, it belonged to Gilbert de Veyny, "Master of Cavalry" and builder of the current château. Legend has it that, having fallen out of favor with the court of Louis XV, he had the immense complex built to house his regiment. Burned down in 1958, the château has been undergoing painstaking restoration since 1995.