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Château de Beauretour à Saint-Germain-les-Paroisses dans l'Ain

Ain

Château de Beauretour

    41 Lotissement la Fontaine
    01300 Saint-Germain-les-Paroisses
Crédit photo : Trecpeter - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Moyen Âge central
Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
1137
First written entry
1359
Infeodation at Pierre de Rossillon
vers 1400
Construction by Jean de Rossillon
4e quart XVe siècle
Certified construction period
1793
Fire and destruction
2003
Historical monument classification
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

The entire castle, including the fortified right-of-way, namely plots B 166 to B 168: inscription by order of 25 September 2003

Key figures

Jean de Rossillon - Lord of Beauretour and builder Built the castle around 1400 under Savoyard suzeraineté.
Pierre de Rossillon - Knight and ancestor of John Receives infeodation in 1359 from Count Green.
Comte Vert (Amédée VI de Savoie) - Suzerain and donor Grant justice to Pierre de Rossillon in 1359.

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.

External links