The “Castel Franc”, otherwise known as the “Maison du Bailliage”, backs onto the city's ancient ramparts and is surrounded by a certain aura of mystery, in terms both of its names and its date of construction. Its origins date back to the late 15th century and can be attributed to the Gravier family, who owned it until 1786.
It was subsequently sold to the Vigier family, who leased it to the City of Vichy from 1801 to 1822 to house the Town Hall. Its names, however, seem to relate more to a whimsey of 19th century publicists rather than to any substantiated historical sources.
In 1826, the Gravier du Monsseaux family regained ownership of Castel Franc, and it is to Charles that we owe its current aspect. As Vichy's first stationmaster, he developed a passion for the town's history. He carried out major alterations during the 1880s, raising the buildings, adding Gothic-style windows and decorating the facades with coats-of-arms and other sculpted features, all relating to his own family. Only the spiral staircase in the turret remained untouched.
On his death in 1928, at the age of 101, Charles Gravier du Monsseaux bequeathed Castel Franc to the Compagnie Fermière de Vichy, which installed a museum on the history of Vichy from 1937 to 1984. The building is now privately owned.
Rates
Free access.
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Openings
All year 2026 - Open everyday
