This museum is ideal for discovering the history of the city of Bourbon l’Archambault between seigniorial possession, development of hydrotherapy and characteristics of rurality in the Bocage Bourbonnais of the 19th century. More than 2000 years of history are recounted through numerous collections, testimonies and models.
Bourbon-l’Archambault: historic heart of Bourbonnais.
Built on the rock that dominates the city, the Château de Bourbon offers striking remains, the splendor and style of which are representative of royal architecture at the end of the 13th century. The first fortified castle of the Lords of Bourbon then became the symbol of their power.
Still considered today as the family home of all the Bourbons, it saw the birth of the youngest Capetian dynasty.
Three sites and several tour options offer you, alone, with family or friends, to explore a page of French history and to discover an emblematic site of Bourbonnais.
Listed as a Historic Monument since 1862
This room, free to access during the opening hours of the Tourist Office, presents the Château de Chantelle as it was in the 15th century. Property of the Bourbons, it was the last resting place of Anne of France. Model made at 1/100 scale by residents of Chantelle. A QR code allows you to discover 8 minutes of history of these places…
Located in 2 buildings of the old interior fortification of the city of Charroux, this museum allows you to travel in time from the Gallo-Roman period to the 20th century. Between objects, sculptures (including the enigmatic Belle Nue Inconnue), instruments, documents, models and staging, Charroux reveals its history of Gallo-Roman castrum, free town, cantonal capital under the Revolution, market town prosperous in the 19th century and today classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
Last vestiges of the fortifications erected at the end of the 15th century on the orders of Louis Murderers, gunboats, portcullis passages, mobile bridges, many of the devices are presented during the guided tour of these famous underground galleries. Guided tour of the underground passages and self-guided tour of the Tower.
PROGRAMMING 2024
In July and August :
Every Thursday from July 4 to August 29, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. // “Tell me the Story – Reading at the Prison Tower”
This summer, the Prisoner Tower invites you to experience and share stories told by literary travel enthusiasts. So come and settle in the heart of the old medieval tower for an extraordinary escape… An exclusive reading moment! All audiences (family, children, etc.)
Every Saturday from July 6 to August 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. // “Tower Party”
How would you like to live a sensory experience by tasting dishes made exclusively for you and in an exceptional heritage setting? Cussé chefs invite you to the Tour Prisonnière for an extraordinary summer tasting!
Tuesdays July 16 and August 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. // “Borva 2 – The Echo of the Stones”
With Borva now free from the Prison Tower, a new rumor spreads in Cusset: that of the Necklace of Force. Faced with this growing mystery, a new character volunteers to solve the enigma: Flint, an intrepid adventurer! Guided by a mysterious echo, Flint needs help finding this essential relic. Together, solve the puzzles, explore the secrets and become the heroes of Cusset in this family adventure! Child/family game by reservation (players welcome at the Prison Tower).
Tuesdays July 23 and August 13, from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. // “Fort-Cusset “Les Maîtres de la Tour” – Season 2”
After the success of the previous season, Fort Cusset is making a comeback with a new version of “Masters of the Tower”! The spaces of the Prison Tower and the Women’s Prison will be transformed into game and challenge areas that the teams will have to complete to score as many points as possible in 90 minutes… This “action game” promises even more challenge. Teen/adult game by reservation (limited places).
Throughout the season – From June 1 to September 29 :
“The Strange Cabinet of the Dumonts” (During opening hours of the Prison Tower)
Anne and Hubert, passionate collectors, have gathered a multitude of old and strange objects in the Prison Tower of Cusset. For some time now, unexplained things have been happening in these logic-defying places. Faced with these mysteries, the Dumonts need help to help them carry out the investigation. This new exploration game, designed by Monsieur Damien and illustrated by Camille Chaussy, promises a unique immersive experience for the whole family. Game from 7 years old (during opening hours of the Prison Tower)
Located in an old Bourbonnais farmhouse, in the heart of the village of Fleuriel, this unique museum space is dedicated to the relations between the peasant world and the Great War, more particularly in the Bourbonnais territory. The museum presents a permanent interactive tour and temporary exhibitions renewed each year.
A former fortified castle transformed into a prison then a museum, this exceptional building tells us about the history of Gannat and its heritage from Prehistory to the Second World War. Skeleton of the 23 million year old fossil rhinoceros, God with the Gallo-Roman mallet, 9th century gospel, there are numerous pieces that retrace the history of the town of Gannat.
The dungeon of La Toque (MH) is one of the rare military remains of Bourbonnais and is part of a series of dungeons erected mainly to the south of the Loire. It is the best preserved of all. It illustrates the history of the lords of Huriel. Models show the evolution of the town and the Romanesque church.
An emblematic monument of the Bourbonnais enthroned in the heart of the town of Moulins, the Mal-Coiffée, emblem of the power of the Dukes of Bourbon, bears witness to numerous stories and anecdotes. Its discovery allows the visitor to delve into the history of its construction from the 14th century to the present day by stopping off in the prison past of the place.
During the guided tour, visitors will discover places usually closed to the public: funeral chapel of the Dukes of Bourbon with its restored paintings (early 15th century), Baroque sacristy with its abundance of sculptures, woodwork and Italianate paintings and discovery of the cloister . The visit continues in the Priory garden and the museum: the old monastic barns now house the lapidary collections and an annual exhibition.