Châteldon is a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in central France.
About the town
Châteldon is a medieval village in the northern part of Auvergne. It dates from the early Middle Ages, with many of its buildings dating back to the 14th century. The town's fortifications are still in evidence.
The village lies on the western edge of the Montagne Bourbonnaise and the northern edge of the Livradois-Forez Regional Natural Park, the largest nature park in Europe. To the west lies the Limagne, where the Allier and Dore rivers converge. Nineteen kilometres to the north is the City of Vichy.
Château de Châteldon was purchased by Pierre Laval, who went on to serve as the French Prime Minister from 1942 to 1944, in September 1931. Laval purchased it from Léon Sénèque. As of 2014, the castle belonged to the Josée and René de Chambrun Foundation.
Mineral water
Châteldon is known for its naturally carbonated mineral water. It was the first mineral water exploited in France and transported by bottles to the Court of Louis XIV in Versailles. This water is used for its diuretic and digestive properties. It is also rich in potassium, sodium and fluorine. In France, one finds the water of Châteldon in the large hotels and restaurants, and in delicatessens. In 1650, the first doctor of the king, Guy-Crescent Fagon, praised the virtues of Châteldon to Louis XIV.
Notable people
Châteldon was the birthplace of Pierre Laval (1883–1945), French politician and his wife Marguerite Laval (1888–1959), born Claussat, the daughter of the mayor of Chateldon Joseph Claussat.

Château de Châteldon

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An architectural masterpiece which links the Middle Ages with the Renaissance; 
fortress and ancestral home - the Chateau de Busset is an eloquent witness of the most fascinating times of French history.
Since the end of the 15th century, it hasbeen the property of the non-reigning direct descendants of Saint-Louis.
At the time of the Crusades...
The origins of the Castle of Busset resonate with the din of the weapons of the Templars - the religious and military knights who fought in the defence of the pilgrims in the Holy Land. Tradition maintains that the construction of the castle had commenced by the end of the 13th century on the site of a Commanderie during the time when Renand de Vichy was Grand Master of the Order of the Temple. The frescos that decorate the oratory of the south-east tower, which probably date from the end of the 14th century, bear witness to the strong sense of spirituality permeating that house.
Medieval fortress...
The edifice dominating over the valley of the river Allier was a creation of its time - a feudal home erected to repulse attacks, to defend its sovereignty, to protect itself. Its ramparts, whose longer side presents itself from the front, the straight moat-protected walls, the mighty keep crowned by galleries and battlements as well as the elegant and yet imposing Orion tower, still bear witness to that purpose. 
The Orion tower...
Covered by an octagonal roof, the Orion tower (opposite) received its name from the constellation which the Knights of the Temple enjoyed observing from its top.
To the origins of the family of France...
The vicissitudes of history resulted in Busset falling to the feudal lord de Tourzel, Baron d'Alegre, and later his great-grand-daughter Marguerite getting married in 1498 to Pierre de Bourbon, Chamberlain of Louis XII. Since that moment the Bourbon Busset family have never left that estate.
From the fortified castle to the pleasant home...
The marriage between Philippe de Bourbon Busset and Louise Borgia, daughter of the famous Cesare Borgia, brought a flavor of Italian Renaissance spirit to Busset that softened the character of the castle. In particular, Louise added a covered arcade to the ground floor, which reproduced the architectural rhythm of the cloisters, and a gallery on the first floor of the east wing, whose frescos have recently been re-discovered and restored.
The Cousin of Navarre...
The influence of the Bourbon Busset family on history was considerable. Henri IV would not have honored the castle with his stay there in 1559 if he had not highly esteemed that family - which was the only one to lend its name to a province: le Bourbonnais.
Moreover, Claude de Bourbon Busset, coutier of the King's Chamber, was raised by letters of 1586 to the rank of Count.
After the Revolution...
Feats of armed combat were frequent among members of that illustrious family. Many of them bore high military titles even after the French Revolution, which proved to be a painful period... 
After the injuries had been healed in the 19th century, the restorations of Viollet-le-Duc and a number of interior conversions were completed in the castle. For example, the wooden panelling "en plis de serviette" of the Saint-Louis gallery or the painted coffered ceiling - additions which are harmoniously juxtaposed to the medieval parts such as the monumental fireplace in the grand salon.
http://www.busset.com

Château de Busset

The castle of La Chassaigne is a manor located in the town of Thiers in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.The medieval castle from the end of the fifteenth century was transformed in the eighteenth century. In 1728, the Marquis de Simiane, new owner, had it restored and enlarged the park. During the Revolution, the Montmorins (paper makers) knocked down the towers. In the twentieth century, the castle lost part of its woodwork. The chapel, at one end of the gallery, has wall paintings from the Gothic period to the eighteenth century. On the second floor, a room conserves its paneling of Louis XIV.
http://www.frenchchateau.net/chateaux-of-auvergne/chateau-de-la-chassaigne.html

Château de la Chassaigne

The Château de Randan was a former royal domain in the French town on Randan in the department of Puy-de-Dôme.
The châtellenie of Randan is first recorded in the 12th century and the castle in the 13th century. It was rebuilt under Francis I of France and the châtellenie promoted to a dukedom in 1661. It was acquired in 1821 by Princess Adélaïde of Orléans, sister of Louis Philippe II.
The ruins have been listed as an official national monument since February 21, 2001.

Château de Randan

The Château d'Aulteribe is a castle located in Sermentizon, in the Puy-de-Dôme département, Auvergne, central France.
Built at the end of the Middle Ages, it was altered and restored in the second half of the 19th century. Many of the medieval-style features of the building were added at this time. In 1954, the Marquis Henri de Pierre, the last owner, bequeathed the château and its contents to the French state. The Château d'Aulteribe is currently managed by the Centre des monuments nationaux, and is open to the public.
The furnishings of the château include tapestries from Flanders and Aubusson, Chinese porcelain, and paintings from the 17th to 19th centuries.
The castle has been listed since 30 March 1949 as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture. The park surrounding the château, believed to date from the first half of the 19th century, was added to the inventory of national heritage in 1991.

Château d'Aulteribe

The Château de Ravel is a castle situated in the commune of Ravel, in the département of Puy-de-Dôme, France.
The castle of Revel was begun by Bernard de Revel, noted in 1171. Purchased by Philip III of France in 1283, it was given by Philip IV to his future chancellor, Pierre Flotte. It passed by marriage and inheritance to the d'Estaing family, by the marriage of the heiress Marie Comborcier du Terrail with her cousin Jean d'Estaing, 1647. The interiors were renovated in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The present structure dates from a number of periods. The origins of the site date back to 1147, though the existing buildings are 13th century or later. The eastern walls and towers date back to feudal times. The main courtyard is from the 17th century and the western wing from the 18th. The terrace, overlooking the Limagne countryside and the chain of volcanic hills – the Chaîne des Puys – was laid out as a parterre in the 17th century.
The castle is regarded as an interesting example of how a medieval castle was converted into a stately home. The 18th century apartments were built without destroying the Gothic framework or the courtyard façade with its ancient towers. Inside, the same care was taken to include Gothic styles with newer, particularly the chapel and the castle's masterpiece, the Salle des Etats. Among the additions worthy of note are the staircase and entrance hall, the dining room, the great gallery and the music room.
The interior has much original furniture. Visitors may see the genealogy room (d'Estaing family portraits), the Salle des Etats with its terracotta tiled floor depicting coats-of-arms, the music room (panelling decorated with musical instruments) and the gold room (beamed ceiling, four-poster bed and Aubusson tapestries. The great gallery has mementoes of Admiral d'Estaing, including a scale model of his ship, painting of naval battles and navigation instruments.
Privately owned, the Château de Ravel is listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture since 1958.
The castle was used as a location for the 2004 French film Les Choristes, directed by Christophe Barratier.