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Origin and history

The castle of Pramenoux is an old strong house founded in the 14th century, deeply transformed in the 17th and 19th centuries. Located in the commune of Saint-Nizier-d'Azergues in the Rhône department, it is 3.5 km south of the village and 1.5 km west-southwest of Lamure. Its name, of Latin origin (pratum and menulti), evokes a meadow dedicated to secondary cereals such as millet or oats.

According to unconfirmed assumptions, the site could cover a Gallo-Roman villa, but no archaeological evidence or ancient text validates it. The first written mention of Pramenoux dates back to 997, in the cartular of Savigny Abbey. The castle was originally owned by the Sires de Beaujeu, who gave it in 1375 to the Ronchivol family (or Rochivol), native of Forez. Jeanne de Bourbon, mother of Louis de Beaujeu, then authorized Guillaume de Ronchivol to settle there.

The Ronchivols occupied the site for three centuries, including the patibular forks in 1510. The line was extinguished in 1698, leaving room for further transformations. Today, the castle is a private property hosting seminars, weddings and guest rooms, while maintaining its historic character.

The place's etymology reflects its agricultural past, while its architecture mixes medieval heritage with modern additions. Although some legends evoke ancient origins, its attested history begins in the Middle Ages, linked to the feudal dynamics of the Lyon region.

The monument illustrates the evolution of fortified houses into seigneurial residences, then into contemporary places of life. Its present role, between heritage and event activities, perpetuates its anchoring in the Rhône region.

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