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Origin and history

The castle of Arenthon, also known as the castle of Sonnaz, was built in 1628 to replace a medieval castle of the 13th century, of which only a few remains such as door frames and murals. This monument, located in the plain between Reignier and Bonneville, served as a spacious residence rather than a fortress, reflecting the evolution of seigneurial needs towards comfort.

The seigneury of Arenthon originally belonged to the house of Faucigny-Lucinge, before passing into the hands of the family of Arenthon d'Alex in the 15th century, following the marriage of Pierre d'Arenthon with Marguerite d'Alex. In 1276, Guillaume de Lucinge, Sénéchal de Faucigny, was mentioned as lord of Arenthon, confirming the anchoring of this line in the region. An act of 1306 states that Pierre de Lucinge inherits the "strong house of Arenthon" and its territory.

In the 17th century, the family of Arenthon d'Alex modernized the estate: the concierge pavilion was built in the 16th century, then the medieval castle was razed in 1628 to give way to the present building. The seigneury became baronie in 1615, then county in 1681 under the Duke of Savoie. In 1705, she passed to the Conzié by marriage, before being acquired by the Gerbais de Sonnaz, owners until 1921. The castle, sold in 1924, preserves Renaissance elements such as a round turret and a chapel dedicated to Saint Francis de Sales.

Architecturally, the 17th century castle is distinguished by its trapezoidal shape, its open wings, and a spiral staircase in a turret. The outbuildings include a Renaissance style kitchen and concierge. Although transformed into rural dwellings in the 20th century, it remains one of the best preserved Savoyard castles in Faucigny, according to local historians such as Georges Chapier or Lucien Guy.

The remains of the medieval castle, although rare, include stone frames and murals integrated with the exterior corridors. These elements, dated from the 13th century, recall the defensive origin of the site, before its transformation into an aristocratic residence under the Lucinge and the Arenthons of Alex. The chapel and the apartments on the first floor, like the "chambre du Général", bear witness to its residential and protocolary use in the 17th and 18th centuries.

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