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Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Montdésir is a former fortified house with remains in the commune of Alby-sur-Chéran in Haute-Savoie. It belonged to a network of seven castles (Château vieux, Le Donjon, Montconon, Montpon, Montvuagnard, Pierrecharve) defending the valley and controlling the torrent as well as the road from Chambéry to Annecy. Its strategic location on the left bank of the Cheran made it a key monitoring point for the region.

Originally, the castle was owned by the family of Alby, who built it and kept it until the 16th century. He then passed into the hands of the Cruet families, then Sonnaz. In 1774 it was acquired by the senator of Cormand de Montpon, who later bequeathed it to a member of the family of Thiollaz. Its architecture was characterized by a quadrangular enclosure flanked by four round towers surrounding an inner courtyard.

This monument illustrates the importance of strong houses in Savoy, serving as both a seigneurial residence and a defence post. Its role in the local defensive system reflects the strategic challenges of the region, marked by conflicts and the need to control the lines of communication. The current remains bear witness to this military and architectural history, typical of medieval Savoyard buildings.

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