Château de Vollore is a castle in the Puy-de-Dôme department of France.

Château de Vollore
The Château de Vollore in 2022
LocationRue du Château, 63120
Vollore-Ville, Puy-de-Dôme,
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Site notes
OwnerLafayette family
Websitechateauvollore.com

History

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In 532, Vollore was besieged by Theuderic I.[1] A Romanesque fortress was built by the Vollore family in the 12th century.[1] The original keep remains part of the château.[2] The château passed down through the Thiers, Chazeron, and Montmorin-Saint-Hérem families, the latter constructed the present building in the 17th century.[1] It suffered a major fire in the sixteenth century and, shortly after the French Revolution, the towers were demolished.[2] Since the 19th century, the property has belonged to members of the Motier de la Fayette family, descendants of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette.[1] In the 20th century, the family hosted musical salons featuring performances by the pianist Laurent Martin.[2][3]

The château was modernized and underwent renovations by the architect René Moreau.[4] It was opened to the public in the 1970s and has operated as a bed and breakfast since 1997.[4] It houses personal artifacts of the Marquis de La Fayette and memorabilia from the American Revolutionary War.[5] The historic collection was dedicated in 1976 by American ambassador Kenneth Rush.[6] The château is currently owned by François-Xavier Aubert La Fayette.[4]

References

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