The Most Beautiful Castles Near Camping de la Croze
Camping de la Croze is set in Saint-Hippolyte, at the gateway to Châtel-Guyon, an ideal spot for discovering Auvergne’s rich castle heritage. Between medieval fortresses perched on ancient lava flows and a 19th-century royal estate, the region is packed with remarkable castles, all within 30 minutes by car. Here’s our pick of the 3 most beautiful castles to visit from the campsite.
1. Château de Tournoël — the medieval fortress on its volcanic outcrop
Built around 1200 on a rocky outcrop at 600 m altitude, Château de Tournoël overlooks the Limagne plain from the heights above Volvic. This former military fortress, whose square sandstone keep dates back to the 10th century, was reinforced during the Hundred Years’ War with a 30-metre-high circular tower, then embellished in the Renaissance with the Volvic stone typical of the region. Having passed through the hands of the Counts of Auvergne, it has belonged to the Chabrol family since 1766.
Practical info
- Address: 1 rue des Remparts, 63530 Volvic
- Distance from campsite: about 15 minutes by car
- Open: July and August (occasional weekend visits the rest of the year, by request)
- Prices: about €10 adult, €5 child (ages 6-16)
Before visiting, it’s best to contact the castle (contact@tournoel.com) to confirm visiting hours outside the summer season.
2. Château de Chazeron — the closest to the campsite
Visible from the Montaclier hiking trail, which starts right at the campsite, Château de Chazeron is the most accessible castle in our selection. This 13th-century feudal fortress, reworked in the 17th century, watches over the town of Loubeyrat from its promontory. Its keep offers an exceptional panorama over the Limagne, the Combrailles and the Monts Dore. The castle offers guided tours as well as a family treasure hunt (about 1h30, by reservation) that kids will love.
Practical info
- Address: 63410 Loubeyrat
- Distance from campsite: about 10 minutes by car
- Guided tours: 3pm, 4pm and 5pm every day except Monday in July-August; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday in May, June and September
- Contact: 06 73 68 19 46 — chateaudechazeron@gmail.com
As prices may change, we recommend checking directly with the castle before your visit.
3. Domaine royal de Randan — the romantic 19th-century jewel
A little further north, the Domaine royal de Randan offers a very different experience from the two medieval fortresses above. Acquired in 1821 by Louis-Philippe d’Orléans and his sister Adélaïde, this former duchy was transformed into a holiday residence by architect Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine, becoming one of the great sites of 19th-century Romanticism. Ravaged by a fire in 1925, the estate was saved and reopened to the public in 2003. The guided tour reveals the history of the estate as well as a striking collection of taxidermied animals, and the park is perfect for a family walk or picnic.
Practical info
- Address: Place Adélaïde d’Orléans, 63310 Randan
- Distance from campsite: about 40 minutes by car
- Opening hours (July-August): Monday, Wednesday to Friday and weekends, 10am-7pm
- Opening hours (1-27 September): Monday, Wednesday to Friday and weekends, 2pm-7pm
- Prices: €7 full price, €4 students and groups, free for under-26s
- Contact: 04 70 41 57 86
Two guided tours are included in the entry ticket: don’t miss them, they tell the fascinating story of this royal estate.
Need some advice before you set off?
As some of these castles are run by private owners, their opening hours can vary from season to season. Our reception team will be happy to help you plan your route, check the current visiting days and show you the best driving route to each one. So, which castle will you discover first?
Want to explore further?
Fancy combining heritage and fresh air? Check out our selection of 4 hikes starting right from Camping de la Croze — the Montaclier loop actually passes right below Château de Chazeron.
To plan your stay and discover more things to do, visit our To discover page.
Fancy discovering these castles from the campsite? Check our availability and book your 2026 stay.
