Pontgibaud is a small medieval village about 25 km west of Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne, straddling the Sioule river at the edge of the Chaîne des Puys volcanic range.
The main attraction is Château Dauphin, a well-preserved example of medieval military architecture built in the 12th century by Robert Dauphin, Count of Auvergne, to defend the Sioule bridge. The keep and six towers survive from the original fortification, later completed in the 15th century by Field Marshal Gilbert III de La Fayette. The château is still inhabited by descendants of the Moré de Pontgibaud family, who have owned it since 1756, and is open for visits in summer.