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Origin and history

The castle of Bardonenche, also called the castle of Bardonnêche, is a building located in the commune of Monestier-de-Clermont, in the department of Isère, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Although its name evokes the commune of Roissard, it is actually found in the territory of Monestier-de-Clermont, as the official sources attest, including the Mérimée base. This castle is an example of 17th and 18th century civil architecture, marked by major transformations after a fire.

The first castle, built in 1590 by the family of Clermont-Tonnerre, initially served as a hunting relay for the Dauphin of Vienna. No trace of this original building remains today, as it was located at hillside above the current location. The present castle was acquired in 1679 by Viscount Alexander II of Bardonnêche, a noble family that owned it until 1828. Ravaged by a fire in 1770, it was completely rebuilt, with its outbuildings, in a symmetrical style characteristic of the late eighteenth century.

Architecturally, the castle is distinguished by its monumental porch, located near the church, and its southern facade decorated with a carved pediment. The tile roofs with scales, topped with tops, as well as the two pavilions surrounding the central building, reflect the aesthetic cannons of the time. Although privately owned, the castle exceptionally opened its doors to the public during the European Heritage Days in 2016 and June 2024, offering an overview of its history and local heritage.

In terms of heritage, the castle is partially protected: three rooms with their monumental chimneys were inscribed in the Historical Monuments by order of 22 July 1986. These elements, located at Cadastre B 387, demonstrate the historic and architectural significance of the site. Today, the castle remains a symbol of the Trièves heritage, a region marked by its noble history and preserved landscapes.

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