Miramont Castle
Miramont Castle is the turreted Victorian mansion tucked into the hillside above Manitou Springs, built in 1895 as the private home of a French-born Catholic priest. Today the Manitou Springs Historical Society runs it as a museum, with a self-guided tour through four floors and a tearoom serving multi-course Victorian teas.
Miramont Castle in Manitou Springs, CO
Father Jean Baptiste Francolon was born in France in 1854 to a wealthy, aristocratic family and came to the American Southwest in 1878, serving parishes in and around Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1892, hoping to restore his failing health, he moved to Manitou Springs, a town known for its healing mineral waters and clean air. His mother joined him the next year, and the two filled their hillside home with opulent furnishings, artwork and antiques. The house mixes several architectural styles at once, which is part of what makes it so fun to look at from the street. The Francolons hosted two fundraising balls at the castle in 1897, then left Manitou unexpectedly in 1900, taking their art but leaving their furniture behind. The castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 3, 1977, and it now sits in the Manitou Springs Historic District near the base of the Pikes Peak Cog Railway and the Manitou Incline.
Self-guided tours cover the castle’s 30 rooms of period furnishings and take 45 minutes to an hour. Along the way you’ll find exhibits on Manitou’s history, including the Manitou Springs Fire Department and the WWII Nuremberg Trials, plus rotating historical displays and a scavenger hunt for kids. The castle is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with extended summer hours from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Admission is $15 for adults 13 to 59, $13 for seniors 60 and up and $10 for children 4 to 12, and kids 3 and under are free. The Queen’s Parlour Tearoom serves teas and lunches Tuesday through Sunday with seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Photo Gallery
Photo credits: Miramont (Manitou Springs, Colorado) by Jeffrey Beall (CC BY-SA 3.0); Miramont Castle Exterior by Racemanryan (CC BY-SA 3.0); Miramont 3413 by Nolabob (CC0); Miramont10 by Jiggy2016 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Miramont11 by Jiggy2016 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Miramont6 by Jiggy2016 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Miramont12 by Jiggy2016 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Miramont8 by Jiggy2016 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Miramont5 by Jiggy2016 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Images via Wikimedia Commons.
News & Events
Miramont’s holiday season is its busiest. The Halloween High Tea (Oct. 23 to 25 and Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, 2026) and the Victorian Christmas High Tea (Nov. 27 to 29) are both sold out, so watch the Miramont Castle website for new events. Poe Night, an evening of music and a dramatic Edgar Allan Poe reading for ages 16 and up, returns Jan. 15 to 17, 2027, at $65 per person with reservations required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do at Miramont Castle?
- Self-guided tour: Explore all four floors and 30 furnished rooms at your own pace.
- Queen’s Parlour Tearoom: Book a multi-course Victorian tea or a signature lunch.
- Historical exhibits: See displays on the Manitou Springs Fire Department, the Nuremberg Trials and more.
- Gardens: Stroll the castle gardens in summer.
- Seasonal events: Themed high teas, Poe Night and holiday decorations fill the calendar.
What is nearby Miramont Castle?
- Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway: The depot is just up Ruxton Avenue.
- Manitou Incline: The famously steep stair-step trail starts nearby.
- Manitou Cliff Dwellings: Ancestral Puebloan-style dwellings a short drive away.
- Cave of the Winds Mountain Park: Cave tours and thrill rides above Williams Canyon.
- Garden of the Gods: Red-rock towers just east of Manitou Springs.
How much does it cost to tour Miramont Castle?
Admission is $15 for adults 13 to 59, $13 for seniors 60 and up, and $10 for children 4 to 12. Children 3 and under are free, and military personnel, veterans and first responders with ID get $2 off. Tearoom reservations and special events are priced separately.
When is Miramont Castle open?
The castle is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, it’s open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., seven days a week. The Queen’s Parlour Tearoom is open Tuesday through Sunday with seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and is closed Mondays.
Are there any tips for visiting Miramont Castle?
Park free in the small five-car lot on Montcalm Street or the larger lot on Pilot Knob Avenue just around the corner. Guests with limited mobility can be dropped off at the porte-cochère out front, which leads to an entrance ramp and chair lift. Reserve tea well ahead, since themed teas often sell out. Pair your visit with lunch on Manitou Avenue or a ride on the Cog Railway up the street.
Miramont Castle is located at 9 Capitol Hill Ave., Manitou Springs, CO 80829. Call 719-685-1011 or visit miramontcastle.org to plan your visit.