Les Médiévales du Château de Pesteils

The Château de Pesteils: a living medieval fortress in the heart of Cantal

Majestically overlooking the village of Polminhac and the Cère valley from its rocky promontory, the Château de Pesteils is one of the most impressive medieval fortresses in Cantal. Built from the 13th century onwards, this fortified castle has stood the test of time, retaining its authentic character, blending defensive architecture with aristocratic refinement. Its imposing 40-meter high keep, built in the 14th and 15th centuries at the beginning of the Hundred Years' War, offers an exceptional panorama of the surrounding mountains after climbing its 88 spiral staircase steps.

Immersive medieval reenactments

From Easter to All Saints' Day, the castle comes alive and plunges its visitors into the heart of the Middle Ages. On the castle terrace, a medieval military camp comes to life with equestrian shows, knight combat demonstrations, and the antics of a jester. Visitors can try their hand at weapon handling, coin minting, and participate in numerous medieval games. Troubadours and minstrels provide the musical ambiance for these timeless days.

Les Après-midis de Pesteils: costumed adventures for the whole family

In July and August, Les Après-midis de Pesteils offer costumed adventures led by the characters Thibert and Mélisande. For children aged 3 to 5, Mélisande takes little knights on the adventure of the "Missing Teddy Bear." For ages 6-12, Thibert issues the challenge to "Brave the castle's curse": free the 6 swords and the king's crown by defeating the devil and the witch to discover the Sacred Stone and save Pesteils from darkness. Each participant receives a diploma at the end of the adventure.

Exceptional heritage to discover

Beyond the medieval entertainment, the castle visit reveals remarkable heritage. The living rooms and bedrooms house rich furniture, paintings, and tapestries offering a panorama of interior decoration from the 13th century to Art Nouveau. The 15th-century frescoes in the keep, restored in 2008 (Sotheby's prize), and the 17th-century painted ceilings illustrating scenes from Greek mythology are among the treasures of the place. About twenty wax figures created by the Musée Grévin stage scenes related to the life and history of the castle.

A family history since the 17th century

Owned by the Cassagne de Beaufort de Miramon Pesteils family since 1608, the castle has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1994. Open to the public since 1956, it is now managed by Louis-René and Yvonne de Miramon, who continue the tradition of hospitality and entertainment in this exceptional place. The castle is part of the Route Historique des Châteaux d'Auvergne (Historic Route of the Castles of Auvergne), testifying to its importance in the region's castle heritage.