Castles and fortresses in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Historic Castles & Fortresses

This collection showcases the architectural evolution of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, from the medieval stronghold of the Dukes of Savoy in Chambéry to the Renaissance elegance of the Castle of Grignan. It includes unique structures like the Palais de l’Isle, a 12th-century fortified house built on a rocky island in Annecy, and the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, which has remained in the same family for a millennium. These sites represent strategic military defenses and ducal residences overlooking the region's lakes and river valleys.