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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Bettonnet Castle, located in the municipality of Betton-Bettonet en Savoie, has its origins in the 17th century as an old stronghold integrated into the seigneury of Chamoux. This monument, classified among the Historical Monuments, illustrates the defensive and residential architecture of this period, before being profoundly redesigned in the following centuries.

Between 1717 and 1719, the castle underwent a major transformation, followed in 1722 by the development of a garden structured in three levels, supplemented by charming alleys, terraces and an orchard. These elements, partially preserved despite subsequent changes in the 19th and 20th centuries, bear witness to the influence of French-style gardens and the evolution of the aristocratic tastes of the era. The 1722 plan remains a reference today to understand the initial organisation of the domain.

On the ground floor, five rooms still feature 18th and 19th century décor, reflecting the successive modifications of the castle. Although the whole was inscribed in the Historical Monuments by order of 19 February 1996, including the castle and its park, the transformations of the 1850-1860s and early 20th century altered part of its original appearance. The estate nevertheless retains remarkable landscape and architectural coherence, linked to its seigneurial and then residential history.

The location of the castle, in the village of Betton-Bettonet, makes it a key heritage element of Savoy, an area marked by feudal and agricultural history. Strong houses, such as Bettonnet, played a central role in the territorial organization, serving as both a noble residence, a place of control over the surrounding lands and a symbol of local power. Their preservation offers valuable insight into rural and seigneurial life in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes during the 17th and 18th centuries.

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