La Palice Castle

Château de La Palice

The residence of the famous Marshal of France is built on the edge of the Besbre. Since 1430, the chateau has been owned by the family of Chabannes.

The ceiling of the 16th century gilded salon, renaissance style, is considered unique in Europe. It is composed of perfectly symmetrical wooden rhombuses, painted and gilded to the leaf. This room also features tapestries from the 16th century.

The chapel (15th, MH) where the family of Chabannes rests since 1453, flamboyant Gothic, welcomes the recumbent (15th) of Jacques 1st of Chabannes and his wife, Anne of Lavieu.

The castle also offers the exhibition of a unique collection dedicated to the flags of the nations.

Dominating the Besbre from its hill, the castle has seen the centuries and the styles succeeding behind its facade which rises in the sky the Palais: flamboyant gothic, Renaissance, neogothic, common to Bourbonnaise fashion, epochs left in legacy beauties in battle and a masterpiece: a Renaissance ceiling with diamond-shaped caissons.

While the singers made a funny reputation to Jacques II of Chabannes, Lord of La Palice, attributing to him his "truths", the visit of his castle, to Lapalisse, honors this Marshal of France who was a a brave man in battle and beloved by his soldiers.

By entering Lapalisse by the National Road 7, the castle which stands in front, overlooking the city, impresses. Historical facts, family memories and anecdotes mingle to give testimony about the 30 generations who have succeeded one another in the castle since 1430. This very beautiful ensemble of the XIIth and XVIth centuries presents a main Italian Renaissance residence of polychrome bricks containing ceilings to caissons of all beauty, beautifully preserved.

Thanks to a game of track, the young visitors discover the origin of the lapalissades, and learn that Jacques 1st of Chabannes of La Palice was one of the faithful companions in arms of Joan of Arc ...

Virtual visit

Practical information

Guided tours of the castle from Wednesday to Monday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:30 pm to 6 pm from 1 April to 1 November.

Free visit of the park from Monday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:30 pm to 6 pm from April 1st to November 1st.

Tel: 04.70.99.37.58.

Logo S L 2018 white

embouteillage

Tourist Office of Pays de Lapalisse

Situated between the plains of Sologne Bourbonnaise and the Highlands of the Bourbonnaise Mountain, in the heart of the Besbre valley, the "Country of Lapalisse" has a particularly rich historical and cultural heritage, like the castle of Famous Monsieur de La Palice. With a natural environment of quality, suitable for many activities, calm and relaxation will seduce you. Good stay among us ...

 village etapebeaux detour

Contact us

Tourist Office
of Pays de Lapalisse

9 Place Charles bécaud
03120 Lapalisse

contact@lapalissetourisme.com

Tél. 04 70 99 08 39

Opening hours

From November to February
Mar to Sat : 10am to 12pm / 2pm to 5pm
(closed on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons)

From March to June and in September and October
Mon : 2pm - 5:30pm
Mar to Sat : 9:30am to 12pm / 2pm to 5:30pm

July and August
Mon to Sat : 9:30am to 12:30pm / 2pm to 6:30pm
Sun : 9:30am to 12:30pm

Follow us