Château de Châteauvieux en Haute-Savoie

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Origin and history

Châteauvieux Castle, also known as Alby Castle, is an ancient 13th century castle located in the commune of Alby-sur-Chéran in Haute-Savoie. It was part of a network of seven castles (including Le Donjon, Montconon and Montvuagnard) controlling the passage of the Cheran torrent, on the road between Annecy and Chambéry. Its origins date back to the early Middle Ages, when the Burgundians established fortifications there to monitor the ford.

In 1287, Count Amédée II of Geneva paid tribute to Count Amédée V de Savoie for this fief during the treaty of Annemasse. The castle was then used as a guarantee for a dowry in 1297, then integrated into the possessions of the Counts of Savoie in 1308. He remained in the collateral family of the Counts of Geneva until 1505, before passing into the hands of local noble families such as the Pelards, the Mareschals of Luciane and the Buttet.

Declared national during the Revolution, it is sold to private individuals and today only remains in the form of remains. The castle was the seat of a comtal chestnut, managed by a chestnut named by the Count of Geneva, then by the Count of Savoie after 1401. The latter was responsible for collecting tax revenues and maintaining the castle, sometimes assisted by a receiver of accounts.

The current ruins, located on the right bank of the Cheran, testify to its strategic role in defending the valley. The site, occupied from the Middle Ages, illustrates the importance of burgundy fortifications and then Savoyards in controlling the lines of communication between Annecy and Chambéry.

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