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Origin and history

The tower of Bellecombe is an ancient strong house built in the first half of the 13th century. It was the centre of the seigneury of Bellecombe and stands in the village of Bellecombe-Tarentaise, on the commune of Aigueblanche, in Savoie. This monument perfectly illustrates the typology of the Savoyard fortified houses, built between the 13th and 17th centuries, with its architectural features marked as ogival geminous windows and its structure in limestone tuff stone.

Located in the plain, on the right bank of the Isère, the fort house is at the entrance of the village of Bellecombe-Tarentaise, between Moutiers and La Léchère. Its strategic location reflects its historical role in defence and local administration, especially in conflicts involving the Duchy of Savoie.

In the 14th century, Bellecombe's fief belonged to the Gottra family, with Iblode de Gotres as holder of the nomination in 1363. The seigneury then passed to the family of Loctier, vassal of the Counts of Savoy. In 1536 François de Loctier played a key role in repelling the German mercenaries hired by the king of France François I, taking up Conflans before the first French occupation of the duchy.

Architecturally, Bellecombe's fort house is presented as a quadrangular tower-residence, two-storey high on ground floor, with a central split wall supporting fireplaces. Its windows, decorated with columnettes and trilobed arches, as well as exterior details such as the false arches, testify to its refined medieval style. The materials used, including limestone tuft stone, reinforce its anchoring in Savoyard architectural heritage.

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