At the Domaine royal de Randan, horticulture, architectural history and an exceptional collection of taxidermied animals come together. This gives Randan a clear cultural and historical focus: the estate can be explored through its origins, distinctive garden structures and various exhibitions. The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste also has its own architectural history, spanning the 15th and 16th centuries through to works carried out in the 19th century. When planning a trip to Randan, you can choose between topics related to the Domaine and a visit to the church, rather than reducing the town to a single attraction.
The Domaine royal: gardens and history
The Domaine royal de Randan was laid out from 1821 by Louis-Philippe d’Orléans and his sister Adélaïde. The orangery illustrates the practical side of the gardens: the 56-metre-long building was used in winter to house 150 orange trees in tubs. The building’s length and the number of trees convey the scale of this winter use. The terrace above the kitchen wing offers a viewpoint over the landscape. Seasonal plant care and views of the landscape thus represent two distinct aspects of the gardens.
The Ministry of Culture entry dated 15 December 2022 lists the Parc du domaine royal as a “Jardin remarquable” and classifies it as a historic monument.
Guided tours and exhibitions
A guided tour of the Domaine royal covers the castle ruins, the orangery, the greenhouses, the chapel and the kitchens. It brings together very different parts of the estate: from ruined architecture and garden structures to former working areas. If you plan to take this tour, check the dates in advance. The photo exhibition “Souvenir d’un hôpital de guerre, 1914–1918” is also freely accessible in the park. The dates in the title establish a clear historical context, while free access distinguishes the exhibition from the guided tour.
“Les animaux de Ferdinand” offers another perspective. Ferdinand d’Orléans’s collection comprises 450 animals prepared by Rowland Ward. In the exhibition of the same name, taxidermied animals are arranged in dioramas; the exhibition is considered unique in Europe. Alongside the collection itself, the dioramas draw attention to how it is presented: the animals appear as part of composed scenes, rather than as isolated pieces. Visitors particularly interested in collections or exhibition design will find a different focus here from the Domaine’s architecture and gardens.
The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste
The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Randan dates from the 15th and 16th centuries. Between 1843 and 1845, Adélaïde d’Orléans had the church enlarged and restored. The choir windows also connect the church to the Orléans family: they were made by the Manufacture de Sèvres and donated by Louis-Philippe at his sister’s request. The Domaine, laid out from 1821, and the work on the church from 1843 to 1845 thus belong to a later historical period; at the same time, the same brother and sister connect both stories.
Discover more destinations: Montaigut, Saint Gal Sur Sioule, Durtol, Le Vernet-Sainte-Marguerite, Sancy, Chapdes-Beaufort, Saint-Genès-Champespe, Saint-Genès-Du-Retz.
See the regional travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.
