Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Fésigny, originally named Château de La Ruaz, was built around 1380 in Veyrier-du-Lac, Haute-Savoie. It belongs first to the family of Viry de Rolle, then was acquired in 1479 by Amédée des Clets, who sold it the same year to Bertrand de Derée, president of the province of Genevois. This monument changed hands several times, reflecting local nobiliary tensions, before being bought in 1560 by Jean Vincent, seigneur of La Croix-en-Bornes, whose wife Blanche Diane of Valencia-Gruffy brought in the dowry of Fésigny.

The Vincent de Fésigny family kept the castle for centuries, until its sale in 1917 by the last heiress. Two younger branches emerge: the Vincent de La Croix and the Vincent de La Ruaz (or Fésigny), who share the heritage. The castle, registered with the historical monuments in 1993 for its facades, roofs and painted ceilings, then moved to the family of the Besset, the current owner. Its 1.5 hectare park, including swimming pool and vegetable garden, reflects its evolution towards a private residence.

Situated on the heights of Veyrier-du-Lac, the castle dominates the landscape between Mount Veyrier and Lake Annecy. Its history illustrates marriage alliances and rivalries between Savoyard noble families, typical of the region between the Middle Ages and the modern era. Architectural and landscape transformations, such as adding turrets to the park, reflect its adaptation to residential uses over the centuries.

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