The ruins of Château de Polignac stand on a basalt mesa some three kilometres north of Le Puy, visible from much of the town. The castle was the seat of the powerful Polignac family, who dominated the Velay in the Middle Ages and gave their name to a line that produced several notable figures under the French monarchy. The structure dates from the eleventh to fifteenth centuries; it was largely dismantled after the Revolution.
The mesa itself rises about 80 metres above the plain, and the views from the ruins over the volcanic landscape toward Le Puy and the cathedral are very good. The village of Polignac sits at the foot of the mesa; the walk up is moderate. Combining it with a visit to Le Puy makes for a full day exploring the volcanic outcrops of the Velay. The castle is open to visitors in summer.