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Origin and history

The Langin tower, located at 786 meters above sea level on the town of Bons-en-Chablais (Haute-Savoie), is the last vestige of a 13th century castle. Built on a rocky spur of the Voirons, it strategically controlled access to Chablais via a depression between the mountains. The site, frequented from the Prehistory and Gallo-Roman era, houses a round tower characteristic of 13th century Savoyard architecture, surrounded by a polygonal enclosure and flat ditches.

The castle was mentioned in 1229 as a property of the nobles of Langin, vassals of the sisters of Faucigny but contested by the Counts of Geneva. Incorporated in the County of Geneva in 1179, it became a territorial issue between Faucigny and Geneva, with recurring conflicts (1179, 1250, 1282). In 1286, Count Amédée V de Savoie briefly occupied him. In 1294, Rodolphe and Jean de Langin recognized that their lands were held in the hands of the Count of Geneva, acquiescing their feudal dependence.

In the 15th century, after the purchase of the county of Geneva by Savoie (1401), the family of Langin went under Savoie suzeraineté. Louis de Langin founded in 1451 the Shrine Notre-Dame des Voirons, where he retired as hermit. In 1509, the castle passed to allinges by marriage, then was destroyed in 1591 during the conflicts between Geneva and Savoy, leaving only the dungeon. Restored in the 20th century by Dr. Jacques Miguet, it today bears witness to this turbulent medieval past.

Architecturally, the castle occupied an oval platform surrounded by double ditches. The circular master tower (6.90 m in diameter), vaulted and dated from the 13th century, is surrounded by 11th century walls in fish ridge, framed with sandstone. The staggered ditches, perhaps prehistoric, reinforced his defense. The Terre de Langin included eight local parishes (Bons, Brens, Machilly, etc.), highlighting its administrative and strategic role.

The site illustrates feudal tensions in Chablais, between the houses of Faucigny, Geneva and Savoie. Its destruction in 1591 marks the end of its military role, but its restored tower remains a symbol of medieval Savoyard heritage, classified among the castles of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

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