Château Dauphin is the dominant feature of Pontgibaud and one of the most intact examples of medieval military architecture in the Auvergne. The original fortress was built in the 12th century by Robert Dauphin, Count of Auvergne, to defend the bridge over the Sioule river. The keep and six towers survive from the original structure; additional work in the 15th century by Field Marshal Gilbert III de La Fayette completed the fortified enclosure.
What makes the château unusual is that it is still inhabited. The Moré de Pontgibaud family has owned it since 1756 and continues to live here, opening it to visitors in summer. The guided tour takes in the medieval stonework, the great hall, and a collection of family portraits and period furniture that give the place the feeling of a house interrupted rather than a museum exhibit.
The château looms over the village and the Sioule river, and the view from the towers across the volcanic plateau and the Chaîne des Puys is excellent on a clear day. Open July to August; check locally for current hours.