Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Uriage came into being in the 11th century in the form of a wooden castral motte, mentioned for the first time in 1085 in the writings of Saint-Hugues, bishop of Grenoble. Belonging to the powerful Alleman Dauphin family, he evolved into a stone castle. In 1496 Soffrey Alleman obtained from King Charles VIII the erection of the Lordship of Uriage in barony, probably as a reward for services to the crown. This status marks the beginning of a period of prestige for the estate, although major architectural transformations date mainly from the 15th, 16th and 19th centuries.

In the 17th century, the castle changed hands several times: ceded in 1630 to Thomas Boffin, he passed in 1659 to the Langon family by marriage. Nicolas-François de Langon, Member of Parliament for the General States of 1789, was one of the most notable owners. In 1797, the estate was transferred by alliance to the Gauteron family (or Gautheron), then inherited by Louis de Saint-Ferriol in the 19th century. These successions reflect the alliances and political weight of the noble Dauphin families.

The 20th century marked a turning point for the castle: it was requisitioned by the army in 1942 and housed three "Schools of Frames" under the Vichy regime. After the war, it was sold to an individual in 1968 and became a private property, closed to the public except during Heritage Days. His archives, preserved in the Isère Departmental Archives, bear witness to his rich past. Partially classified as Historic Monuments in 1988 and 1990, it now embodies a military, seigneurial and residential heritage.

Architecturally, the castle is organized around a square courtyard, with three bodies of houses flanked by round towers, one of which serves as a dungeon. Although elements of the 11th century may still exist, most of the visible structures date from the 15th and 19th century changes. The Orangerie, a remarkable ground garden piece, is one of the classified items. Its strategic location, on a hill overlooking the valley and the spa of Uriage-les-Bains, underscores its historic role of control and prestige.

The protection of the castle extends to facades, roofs and the Orangerie, classified in 1990, while the rest of the estate has been registered since 1988. Although private property, it opens its doors exceptionally during Heritage Days, thanks to the joint action of the local tourism office and an association dedicated to the preservation of heritage. These initiatives perpetuate the memory of a site marked by a thousand years of history, from medieval lords to the challenges of the twentieth century.

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