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Key figures

Origin and history

Château Marcel is an old house located in the commune of Saint-Jean-de-Niost, in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. As early as the 16th century, this building was dedicated to farming, marking its anchor in local activities. Its architecture reflects this dual vocation, both defensive and utilitarian, typical of the strong houses of the region at that time.

From the end of the 17th century, the castle changed owners several times. It belongs first to the De Digoine family, lords of Bourg-Saint-Christophe, before being acquired by François Plantier. In 1759, the family of Monsterot restored it, and in 1786 it was sold to M. de Saint-Innocent. These hand changes illustrate the social and economic dynamics of the aristocracy and the local bourgeoisie under the Old Regime.

In the 19th century, Marcel Castle underwent a notable evolution with the construction of a chapel in 1839. This religious addition demonstrates the importance of faith in the daily life of the owners and inhabitants of the region. The monument thus preserves traces of architectural and social transformations over centuries.

Today, Marcel Castle remains a testimony of the rural and seigneurial heritage of Ain. Its history, linked to influential local families, sheds light on lifestyles, economic activities and power relations in this part of France between the 16th and 19th centuries.

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