With its gigantic fortress dominating the Auvergne landscape for a thousand years, Polignac is one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France". You can't miss this place steeped in history without stopping off! The medieval cradle of the famous Polignac family, the immense and impregnable citadel is now one of the most visited tourist sites in the Haute-Loire.
Located around twenty kilometres from your holiday home in Auvergne, near Puy-en-Velay, the Polignac fortress is an incredible historic monument. Perched atop a volcanic mound, the castle offers a 360° view of the Meygal and Mézenc massifs. You'll need good shoes (141 steps to climb to reach the fortress).
Guided tour of the fortress
Take a guided tour and discover the history of this fortress, built between the 12th and 15th centuries to defend the north-west entrance to the town of Le Puy-en-Velay. The 32-metre-high keep is the castle's main tower. All 800 metres of ramparts and the six fortified gates are still well preserved. In addition to the traditional guided tours, the fortress organises a number of summer events, including treasure hunts that give children a fun way to explore the site.
Good to know: admission is charged, but can be combined with tours of Le Puy-en-Velay. It costs around €12 for 3 visits.
Things to see and do in Polignac :
Has the fortress revealed all its secrets to you? Make the most of your visit to Polignac to discover the hidden treasures of this Haute-Loire village, listed as a "Most Beautiful Village in France" since 2021. The journey back in time continues in the narrow streets of the village of Polignac, with its stone houses arranged in a circle around the citadel.
The church of Saint Martin de Polignac is also well worth a visit. You can admire the dome and the 12th-century fresco depicting heaven and hell, the reliquary of the True Cross, and a polychrome statue of Saint Anne, typical of the naive art of the Middle Ages.
Away from the village, a number of signposted footpaths allow walkers to admire the fortress from every angle, and also to discover Polignac's small rural heritage, with its hundred or so crosses, calvaries, fountains, wash-houses, communal ovens and shoeing looms.
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