Château de Parentignat
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The Chateau de Parentignat was built on the foundations of an old fortress between 1707 and 1720 by the Marquis Francois de Lastic, a regiment captain in the royal infantry, and has remained in the hands of the same family throughout its history.
The Chateau is renowned for its English landscape gardens, which can be viewed from a terrace lined with hundred-year orange trees and heirloom roses. These gardens pose a delightful contrast to the more formally planted lawns of the reception court, six of which have been restored to their original grandeur, along with the avenue of lime trees leading to the chateau's entrance.
Already celebrated in the 18th century as one of the most exquisitely furnished homes in the region, Parentignat was dubbed "the little Versailles of Auvergne" by Henri Pourrat, a noted local man of letters. Fortunate to survive the French Revolution completely intact, the Chateau boasts a large collection of its original furniture.
Each generation of owners has continued to enhance Parentignat's exceptional collection of art. The collection includes a number of impressive paintings, sculptures and tapistries by the great artists of their times, among them works by Nicolas de Largillierre, Carl Van Loo, Hyacinthe Rigaud, Madame Vigee Lebrun, Claude Lorrain, Coysevox, Pujet, and many others.
Thanks to a major restoration campaign currently underway, more rooms are opened to the public each year. The magnificent salons of the first floor are completely restored and open to visitors, as are the main dining room, library, grand staircase, ball room, theatre and other reception rooms.
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