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.

Castle of Grignan

The Castle of Grignan is a 12th-century castle built on a rocky outcrop overlooking Grignan in Drôme Provençale, transformed into a…

Palais de l'Isle

A 12th-century fortified house situated on a small island in the Thiou river. Historically used as a lordly residence, courthouse, and prison, it now serves as a local history museum.

Château de Hautségur

A private castle located in the commune of Meyras, featuring architecture characteristic of the Ardèche region's historical estates.

Château de Lavoûte-Polignac

Built on a rocky promontory overlooking the Loire, this Renaissance-style castle has been the ancestral home of the Polignac family for centuries and houses a collection of historical archives.

Châteauvieux

A late 14th-century fortified house located in Duingt near Lake Annecy. The structure is a well-preserved example of regional medieval defensive architecture.