Chateldon
Chateldon in the Puy de Dôme is known in France and elsewhere for two things: its very fine spring water, allegedly the favourite of Louis XIV and served in all smart restaurants, and the fact that Pierre Laval, the Vichy Government Prime Minister was born here and bought the Chateau in the 1930’s. It should be known for better reasons.
Chateldon has had a very interesting history, which stretches back to the middle ages and before, and there remains much evidence of this. Nowadays it may seem a small and unimportant medieval village with its shop, pharmacy and ‘maison de la presse’ but the buildings tell a different story.
As you drive into Chateldon on the road from Puy Guillaume you see the 13th Century chateau rising up above the village. Walking through the village you realize that much of the original 13th and 14th century town fortifications still exist and form part of the walls of buildings and houses still in use.
In the 13th century Chateldon flourished. Tanneries were set up beside the river Vauziron that flows down from the Montagne Bourbonnaise behind and, tradition has it, that the world-famous cutlery industry that flourished in Thiers owed its beginnings to 13th century Chateldonians who made farm implements. Chateldon went into decline as a result of the 100 years war and then the Black Death of 1348. Many of the toolmakers fled to Thiers to escape the plague.
The 15th century saw a revival, trade flourished once again, and magnificent stone and timbered buildings from this date still stand around the square that was once a market square. The 16th century saw another change in the fortunes of Chateldon as vineyards began to cover the slopes surrounding the village.
Recently the Mairie in Chateldon has been responsible for restoring some of the typical 17th century houses of the winemakers; a dark stone built winery in the basement and on the ground floor and living quarters above. Much of the wine produced was taken to the nearby Port de Ris on the River Allier, loaded onto small, specially built boats and transported via the Allier and Loire to the coast or Paris.
Wood and wine were the materials for Chateldon’s staple industries throughout the second part of the 19th and early 20th centuries. A furniture building industry grew up and in 1885 the Puy de Dôme was the third largest wine producing area in France and the slopes around Chateldon were covered with vineyards.
However phylloxera destroyed many of the vines in the 1890s and pine plantations started to replace them. However, at this time Chateldon could be described as flourishing; a small town with hotels, shops and restaurants and aspiring to be a spa.
All this history is evident. Pick up the leaflet at the mairie, ‘Chateldon, petite ville, au grand renom’ and it will guide you round this fascinating place, the church, the medieval ramparts, the chateau stables, the 16th century centre, the 17th century ‘maisons de vignerons’, the more recent 19th century buildings and bath house. For the archaeologically minded it is an exciting place to visit, for those who just love old places, this village, which aspires to be ‘un des plus beau village de France’, is well worth an afternoon’s wander.
Visit Chateldon (Auvergne, Puy-de-Dome) travel, gites and hotels
Best Prices on Hotels in Chateldon - Guaranteed
(see guarantee details) Reserve online, pay at the hotel
The Chateldon hotels listed feature descriptions, guest reviews, ratings, location maps, online booking etc. as well as the 'best-price' guarantee. The search for hotels in Chateldon is provided by booking.com. General holiday / vacation options- See Auvergne gites for Chateldon holiday rentals Holidays nearbyLooking for something close by? See a wide choice of hotels, holiday villages and holiday rentals at: VisitSee Visit Chateldon for places to visit near Chateldon including: a detailed map, villages in bloom and most beautiful villages DiscussAsk questions or leave a comment about Chateldon in our Auvergne forum Chateldon property for saleSee Auvergne property for sale
|
|
||||||||||||
Places to visit near Chateldon, France
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Chateldon.
Some places to visit within 30 km: 
14 km: Thiers (Town) 19 km: Vichy (WWII administrative centre)
See also Chateldon (version Francais)
