Celebrate 400 Years
Of Unique History!

ANTIQUITY

Julius Caesar was here! Vercingetorix too. Read about the only battle Caesar ever lost...

Paray has been a destination since antiquity. It sits at the end of an ancient Roman road. Just past Paray was an ancient port on the Allier river.

VERCINGETORIX vs. CAESAR

Julius Caesar himself used the road, and camped alongside the Allier river near Paray.  As recounted by Caesar in his “De Bello Gallico”, the Roman General was greeted by Gallic King Vercingetorix, who taunted the Legion from the other side of the river, daring the Romans to give chase – which they did. 

REVOLUTION

The owner of Paray was arrested. In a twist of fate, his execution caused Paray to survive the centuries unharmed.

PARAY was owned by the presiding Judge of the highest court in the land (The First Presidial Of Riom) – when revolution came.

Built in it’s present form in 1624, Paray Castle was over 150 years old at the time of the Revolution

He was arrested here at the chateau during the Reign of Terror. He and his wife were taken to Paris where they were tried, found guilty, and executed all in the same day.  Ironically, his execution caused Paray to survive the centuries so well preserved.

LES TEMPS MODERNES

Post Revolution, Paray was declared property of the state. Ironically, the protection of the State spared the chateau the destruction brought upon so many other chateau.

As State Property, Paray survived the uprisings, petty vandalisms and hatred of the rich fully intact, and is today a rare example of the polychromatic brickwork the area is known for, as well as several other architectural features. Eventually, the state sold it back to private owners, and it has remained in private hands ever since.

Currently, the Castle is private residence of the Chatelain and his family.