Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château d'Aiguebelette-le-Lac, located in the Savoy department, is an ancient castle whose origins date back to at least the twelfth century. Although a first destruction was attested at the beginning of the 14th century by Guigues VIII of Vienna, the castle was rebuilt around 1305 by Geoffroy de Clermont, lord of Clermont in Vienna, after having received it in fief from Count Amédée V of Savoie. This strategic site, combined with a fortified village, formed a defensive complex extending over nearly one hectare, marking the importance of the local seigneury.

The family of Clermont retained the castle until 1454, when Gabriel de Clermont, having chosen the French camp, was dispossessed of it and saw the future Louis XI order its destruction. Subsequently, the castle passed into the 16th century into the hands of the Chabod-Lescheraine and Rivoire families, lords of Romagnieu, in indivision. His status evolved in 1624, when the seigneury was erected as a baronie for the benefit of René Favre de la Valbonne, son of the lawyer and senator of Savoie Antoine Favre. The Favre family remained the owner until its sale in 1744.

Today, the castle remains only the walls of the enclosure and the bases of two round towers, as well as the remains of a gate of the fortified village on the Lépin-le-Lac side. In 1872, one could still observe the foundations of the quadrangular dungeon, built in beautiful apparatus. The castle's planade later served as a terrace at the old Bellevue chalet-hotel, illustrating the re-use of historic sites in an emerging tourist environment.

The historical sources, including the works of Michèle Brocard (1995), underline the defensive and seigneurial role of the castle, integrated into a network of Savoyard fortifications. Its evolution reflects regional conflicts, including tensions between Savoy and Dauphiné, as well as the changing alliances of local noble families. Partial destruction and successive reconstructions bear witness to its strategic importance throughout the centuries.

External links