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Origin and history

The Château d'Arcine, originally named château de Rumilly-sous-Cornillon, is an ancient castle mentioned since the 13th century. Built probably by the Counts of Geneva to replace the Château de Cornillon, considered too difficult to access, it was cited in 1210 in the dowry of Marguerite de Genève during his marriage with Thomas I of Savoie. Its present name comes from the owners of the 19th century, the Collomb d'Arcine, although historians consider this name inappropriate.

Located 550 metres above sea level on a plateau overlooking the Borne valley, the castle controlled access to this valley and to the secondary road linking the Faucigny to Annecy via Thônes. Associated with the Château de Cornillon, it formed a strategic lock for the region. The site offers extensive views of the Arve Valley, Mount Orchez, the Salève and the Voirons. Its architecture includes a three-storey square tower, a solid housing body, and a green inner courtyard.

The castle belonged to several noble families over the centuries. In 1411, it was sold by Marguerite de Joinville to Duke Amédée VIII of Savoy. In the 16th century, Pierre de La Forest acquired it and passed it on to its descendants until the 18th century. In 1807 he passed into the hands of the Marquis de Planchamps, then by alliance to the Collomb d'Arcine, who gave him his current name. In the 20th century, it became a home for Russian emigrants before being purchased in 1981 by the Hazelton family.

An important administrative center, the castle was the seat of a seigneury covering nearly 12 km2, including several parishes and hamlets such as Saint-Laurent, Saint-Maurice-de-Rumilly and Passerier. The lords exercised the powers of high, medium and low justice. In the 14th century, it became a Comtal chestnut, reporting directly to the Counts of Geneva and then to Savoie after 1401. The Chatelans, officers appointed to manage the seigneury, collected tax revenues and maintained the castle.

The architecture of the castle reflects its defensive and seigneurial role. The square tower, probably used as a prison on the ground floor, is attached to a mass housing body. A second one-storey building, associated with the mansion, completes the whole. The apartments, illuminated by narrow windows, are arranged around an inner courtyard. The site, although modified over the centuries, preserves medieval elements characteristic of Savoyard castles.

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