Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Bois-Salair, located in the forest of Salair near Fontaine-Daniel, in the commune of Saint-Georges-Buttavent, is distinguished by its architecture evoking Scottish castles. Built in 1895 by industrialist and researcher Charles Weyher, it is characterized by a dominant tower overlooking the wooded surroundings. This place was the framework for scientific experiments, especially on the whirlpools and the sea-trombs, reflecting the interests of its founder.

From the end of the 20th century, the Château de Bois-Salair gradually welcomed an Orthodox community. In 2006, the owners of the period, Anita and Gabriel Bornand, donated it to the Saint-Antoine-le-Grand Monastery based in Saint-Laurent-en-Royans. This transition culminates at the end of 2013 with the installation of the Orthodox monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God, originally located in Godoncourt in the Vosges, which finds there a new permanent seat.

The castle thus illustrates a dual vocation: first scientific under the Weyher era, then spiritual with its adoption by the Orthodox community. Its recent history is marked by this change of function, from a research site to a space dedicated to monastic life, while maintaining its forest and distinctive architecture.

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