Directions

If you are coming from Paris, take the A6 highway (Autoroute du Soleil) towards Auxerre. After Nemours, this highway splits, and you choose the A77 (direction Nevers). This is a wonderfully quiet highway. After Nevers, the A4 highway becomes a national road: the N7, which you continue to follow towards Moulins. After Moulins, follow the direction to Vichy; you are still on the N7. After some time, you will reach Lapalisse, our ‘shopping’ town. In some cases, your navigation might direct you to D-roads. Ignore these instructions until you reach Lapalisse; continue on the N7.

At the large roundabout at the beginning of Lapalisse, drive towards the center of Lapalisse. This road descends into the town, and in the distance, you will see the majestic Lapalisse Castle (note: this is not Château de Bussolles!). At the intersection at the bottom of the castle, take the left turn, the D990A towards Bert and Barrais-Bussolles. This road winds through the town; follow it for about a kilometer. After about 300 meters, do NOT take the road to the left at the sign for Barrais-Bussolles (D124).

Take the next left at the second Barrais-Bussolles sign. This road does not have a number. After about 50 meters, you will also see a sign with the name ‘Grattebine.’ Follow this road for about 2.7 km. Then, over the bridge, you will see a green waste container and the sign ‘Les Têches’: keep to the right. Drive up to the green gates of the castle and a large stone with the text ‘Château de Bussolles’ on the right side (see photos above). Drive up this driveway to the castle.

From Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport, the fastest route to the château takes you through the north side of Lyon, avoiding the city’s congestion and its ring road (périphérique).

Leave the airport and head in the direction of Lyon-Nord, following the D517E. At the first roundabout, turn right (1st exit, Toutes Directions). At the next roundabout, go straight (second exit, direction Lyon). After a few hundred meters on this D332, you will reach two roundabouts. Choose the direction of Genève (A432), and at the second roundabout, keep following Genève and Lyon (A432).

Follow the A432 for a while towards Bourg-en-Bresse, until signs indicate Paris; then follow the direction of Paris, driving north. The A432 turns into the A46, heading towards Paris. After a few kilometers, follow the A466 towards Roanne. Soon, this highway merges onto the A6 (direction Lyon, heading south again), and from there, follow the signs to Roanne.

This brings you onto the A89, heading towards Roanne and Clermont-Ferrand. After approximately 60 km, take exit 33 to Roanne; the highway becomes the N82. Follow the signs to Roanne; the N82 becomes N7. Stay on this road, and in Roanne, follow the signs towards Lapalisse. The N7 changes from a two-lane road to a four-lane road here and there, and after some time, take exit 57 towards Lapalisse. At the first roundabout, go straight, the 2nd exit (direction Le Donjon). Follow this D990 and, after a little over 2 km, take the left exit (the right direction is Droiturier). After another kilometer, this road merges onto the D990A to Lapalisse; turn left towards Lapalisse. After about 1 km, turn sharply right onto a small paved road towards Moulin de Bussolles. Continue to follow this paved road; at some point, you will drive between the three gîtes of Moulin de Bussolles. After the next hill, you will see the château on your left. Drive a few hundred meters more, turn left through the gate of the estate.