Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Bellegarde is a fortified house built in 1382 by the Bellegarde-Pussieu family, originally from Vienna, during the late Middle Ages. Located in Chassignieu, Isère, it was renovated in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Its architecture reflects this evolution, with medieval defensive elements and Renaissance additions as suspended turrets. The main building, rectangular, dominates the Bourbre valley between Virieu-sur-Bourbre and La Tour-du-Pin.

At the end of the 15th century, the castle passed by inheritance to the family of Poisieu, then was sold in 1656 to Antoine de Perrotin, lord of the Bretonnière, then in bad condition. A period of reconstruction follows. In 1720, the Prunier family of Saint-André acquired him to join his seigneury of Virieu. The building, classified as a historic monument in 1996, retains French-style ceilings and stone chimneys, but remains a private property not open to the public.

In the 17th century, the castle, abandoned, was given rent in 1777. Its rectangular plan on three levels, surrounded by dormant outbuildings, bears witness to its initial role as a strong house. The sources (Wikipedia, Monumentum) underline its heritage importance in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, although its access is restricted. The accuracy of its location is considered satisfactory (note 8/10), and its official address is the 39 Allée de Bellegarde à Chassignieu.

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