Chateauvieux Village (8)Dominating the rocky spur, the chateau with its Renaissance accommodation building and courtyard, restored in the 19th century, is built on feudal remains. (The interior of the castle is not open to visitors)
Next to it, we find the early 13th century church and its 15th century seigniorial chapel, together with the old cemetery, where ROYER-COLLARD, a 19th century philosopher and politician, was laid to rest.
In 1996, in order to promote regional produce within tourism, an association of winegrowers planted 52 grape varieties from the region with a vineyard lodge, inside the enclosure adjoining the town hall, formerly the presbytery garden. Each year, the grapes are harvested from this conservatory by the children at Châteauvieux school, who then learn about the work of a winegrower, from picking to pressing.
Over 50 different grape varieties and a reconstructed vine lodge can be seen by visitors.
On the site of the ‘forest mill’ (former tannin mill), this hydraulic balance system – the only entirely preserved one in France – was installed in 1852 to draw the water to the chateau, using only the energy of the stream, with no motorisation.
Groups can book visits all year round.
