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Origin and history

The fort house of Champrovent is a medieval building whose first records date back to the thirteenth century, although a source evokes a possible origin as early as 1140. It originally belonged to the family of Champrovent, attested as early as 1270. The site, backed by Mont du Chat, dominates the valley between the hamlets of Vernatel and the Ménards, 2.5 km south-southwest of the village of Saint-Jean-de-Chevelu. The remains of the 13th century, like a back door, coexist with reshuffles of the 15th to 16th centuries, including a body of L-houses and two round towers.

The seigneury changed hands several times: the family of Champrovent died in the 16th century, leaving room for the Rubods of Centagnieu, then the Mareste of Lucey until the Revolution. In 1659 Anthelme-Melchior de Mareste, lieutenant in the Savoy squadron, was called Baron de Champrovent. After the Revolution, the estate passed to the Vulliet, Marquis de Yenne, then was divided between local families (Bellemin, Biron) before being partially bought in 1907 by the Laurent family. In 1941, the painter Balthus briefly lived there and made famous paintings, including Paysage de Champrovent.

Architecturally, the castle combines defensive elements (round towers, apparent bellows) and residential elements (windows, flat tiles). Its history reflects the changes of the Savoyard nobility, from medieval lords to post-revolutionary families. The recent restorations, carried out since 2009 by the Felix family, aim to preserve this emblematic heritage of medieval and modern Savoy.

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