The castle of Chareil-Cintrat was originally one of the fiefdoms of the Bourbon familly. In the early 16th century, Claude Morin, Wars’ Common Controller, became the new owner of the castle, and ordered the construction of a castle with towers, with two that can still be seen nowadays. Back from the campaigns of Italy, Mr. Morin ordered Italianate painted decors for his castle. In 1958, this latter was registered as an historical monument, thanks to its artistry.
The painted decors are formed of a grotesque ensemble unique in France by its scale and finesse of execution. It is completed by mythological and astrological scenes.
Next to the castle, you will find a hill covered in vines: the Conservatoire des Anciens Cépages (the Ancient Grape Varieties Conservatory). This place, unique in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, harbors, over two hectares, the ancient grape varieties cultivated in the Saint-Pourçain vineyard.
The objective of such a place is to raise visitors’ awareness about the savoir-faire linked to the cultivation of those ancient grape varieties.
