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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Beauretour, located in Saint-Germain-les-Parosses in the Ain, is an old fortified house built around 1400 by Jean de Rossillon, vassal of the Count of Savoie. Centre of the seigneury of Beauretour, he controlled the great road between Belley and Innimond. The site, fortified from the 12th century, now houses vestiges: pregnant, house, and a square dungeon on the attack side, typical of feudal architecture ending.

The first written statements date back to 1137 and 1150, evoking a "first construction", although doubts remain about these dates. Pierre de Rossillon received in 1359 the infeodation of lands and justices in Rossillon's chestnut. His descendant, Jean de Rossillon, erected the present castle in the 4th quarter of the 15th century and took the title of seigneur of Beauretour, passed on to his heirs under Savoyard suzeraineté.

In 1793, the castle was burned, looted and partially destroyed. Its ruins, surrounded by ditches and terraces, have been protected since 2003 as a historical monument. The house, flanked by towers and a tower of stairs, reflects a transition between medieval defense and seigneurial residence. Some sources link his name to the return of a cross, without formal evidence.

The estate, including the fortified right-of-way (parks B 166 to B 168), is classified for its heritage interest. The remains, located 1.5 km from the village, overlook the hamlet of Essieu, witness to its strategic role in the historic Bugey.

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