Randan, in the department of Puy-de-Dôme, capital of Canton, belonging to the Community of Communes "Les Coteaux de Randan", includes the town of Randan three villages: Jussat, Lhérat and Loriaval.
Town built on a plateau at an altitude of 407 meters, dominating the plain of Limagne, overlooking the chain of domes, the Sancy and the Thiers region and its black wood, 40 km north of Clermont-Ferrand ( Puy-de-Dôme) and 14 km south of Vichy (Allier).
In the year 570, Gregory of Tours mentions the existence of "monasterium Randanase" in his book "Historia Francorum".
Built in 1204 in the 30-hectare park, the castle was Randan, over the centuries, inhabited by Jean de Polignac, visited by Bayard and celebrated by Jean-Louis de la Rochefoucauld, Randan lord and governor of Lower Auvergne.
From 1204, the lords and earls Randan to succeed. Among the best known include families Polignac, La Rochefoucauld, Marquis de Beaufremont Senecey whose descendants remained until 1714. Then the Duke of Lauzun and the Duke de Choiseul-Praslin which in 1821 sold the castle to the sister of King Louis-Philippe, Adelaide d'Orleans. This began the transformation of the castle and made Randan a royal residence.
The first mention of the lordship of Randan dates from the early 13th century. First seat of a lordship, becomes Randan County in 1566 in favor of Fulvia Pico della Mirandola, a descendant of the famous Italian humanist.
The castle was transformed and embellished over the years 1821 to 1826 by Her Royal Highness Princess Adelaide d'Orleans, sister of King Louis-Philippe. Therefore, Castle Randan became a favorite residence of the royal family. Crowned heads stayed in this sumptuous residence including the ancestors of the Count of Paris. But July 25, 1925, a fire destroyed the royal residence. Apart from the ruins still imposing and majestic, there is the chapel, in which the terrace had been built kitchens, vaulted crypts as the orangery and outbuildings with collections of taxidermy and antique weapons. For years the visits were not allowed, now the Auvergne Regional Council (domain owner since 2003) wanted to open the area to the public so that everyone can see and witness his gradual rebirth.
Randan Church was built in 1490 by Jean de Polignac, and restored in 1844 by Her Royal Highness Princess Adelaide d'Orleans.
Also note, the church Jussat 11th century Romanesque architecture, with Mary Magdalene patron saint is celebrated every year at the Feast of Jussat.
