Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Ampuis finds its origins in a Roman villa mentioned since Antiquity, followed by a strong house attested to in the 14th century. Located on the right bank of the Rhone in Ampuis (the Rhone department), the site is profoundly redesigned in the 16th and 17th centuries to become a seigneurial residence. The main body, dated the 15th century, is decorated with ceilings at the Serlio and a circular dungeon. Between 1592 and 1622 the house adopted a classical style, while a dovecote (1653) was later transformed into a chapel.

The seigneury of Ampuis passes into the hands of influential families, including the Maugirons (XIVth–XVIIIth centuries), marked by figures like Louis de Maugiron, cute d'Henri III. In 1755, the estate was acquired by Louis-Hector de Harenc, then passed on to lines such as the Cholier de Cibeins (XIXth century) or the Troussier (XXth century). In 1995, the family Guigal, venerable wine house, became its headquarters after extensive restoration work (1995–2006).

The castle, partially listed in the Historical Monuments since 1996, retains remarkable elements: an ancient columned portal, French gardens renovated around 1935, and a gazebo with views of the Rhone. The family archives (Maugiron, Harenc, Cholier) are preserved at the Archives départementales du Rhône and municipales de Lyon, testifying to its rich seigneurial and winemaking past.

The coat of arms of successive families – such as the Maugirons (silver and sand girons) or the Guigals (silver lion on Gules) – illustrate their prestige. The site, now dedicated to the production of renowned wines (Côte-Rôtie), combines architectural heritage and wine tradition, perpetuating a multi-year heritage.

The lower castle, of which two original round towers remain, contrasts with the "high castle" disappeared (site of The Guard). The ditches, filled in the twentieth century, and the roof redone in the nineteenth century reveal the successive adaptations of the estate. The chapel, the terraced garden on the Rhone, and the outbuildings complete a set where history and modernity intersect.

Future

On 13 January 1995, the Guigal family owned the vineyards and cellars E. Guigal acquired the castle, which became its headquarters.

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