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Origin and history

The fort house of Chanay is a medieval building of the late 14th century, located in the town of Cruet, Savoie. It was the heart of the Chanay seigneury and was part of a defensive ensemble with other local buildings such as the Chaffard Tower, the strong house of the Rive and the castle of Verdun-Dessus. Its thick walls and its square tower of 10 meters side testify to its strategic role in the Middle Ages.

The site was occupied from ancient times, as evidenced by the discovery of a bronze sword from the Hallstatt period (c. 500 B.C.) in a nearby tumulus. From the 14th century, the fort house became the property of the family of Poypon, related to the lords of Verdon and Mouxy. Antoine de Poypon, living in 1396, is considered an ancestor of the Chanay branch. His descendants, such as François de Poypon (known as "Néplaz" or "Chaneto") and Pierre de Poypon, perpetuate the lineage until the 16th century.

In the 17th century, the seigneury changed hands: in 1697 it passed to the family of Basin through the marriage of Marie Paernat de la Pallud. In 1730, the fief was registered in the name of Benoît Jérôme Devilly, then shared with Barbe de Quintal, widow of Marc de Charbonneau. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the fort house became a private residence, successively occupied by the Barons of Bourget, then by local personalities such as Mr Champenoix, Mayor of Cognin, and Mr Molin. Today, part of the building is in ruins, while a modern house was joined to the medieval tower.

Architecturally, the square tower (10 × 10 m), with thick walls of 1.80 m at the base, illustrates the defensive techniques of the late 14th century. Although partially in ruins, the site retains a major historical value, linked to the feudal organization of Savoy and alliances between noble families in the region.

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