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Origin and history

The château de Chuet, also known as Chouet or Chuit, is a former fortified house built in the 13th century in the commune of Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny, Haute-Savoie. Originally it belonged to a younger branch of the sisters of Faucigny, notably Rodolphe de Faucigny, dit de Chuyt, son of Rodolphe le Teutonice. This strategic site was part of a defensive network including the castles of Vosérier and Castel-Gaillard, as well as a fortified mill in Moëllesulaz, to protect the borders of the Faucigny against the Geneva.

Around 1250, Guillaume de Chuet, cousin and vassal of the Sir Aimon II of Faucigny, was quoted as occupying the place. The official foundation of the fort house is sometimes dated from 1317 by historian Salch. In the 14th century, the castle passed by alliance to the Fresnoy, after the marriage of Nicod de Chuit with Pernette de Montfort, then to the Martin du Fresnoy family in 1545. The latter, anoblised in 1700 with the title of Marquis de Cluses, retained the estate until the 18th century.

In the 19th century, the castle was transferred to the Rivérieulx of Chambost by inheritance, before being acquired in 1937 by the Lalliard family, who installed a parquetry there while preserving the building. Today, the castle consists of a 13th-century square dungeon, a 19th-century house and a French-style park with a water room and charming driveway. Its architecture combines medieval elements (mâchicoulis, murderers) and more recent additions, such as the 17th century earthenware of Delft adorning the large living room.

The castle's historical outbuildings once extended to the former commune of Saint-Maurice-de-Rumilly, now integrated into Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny. The site, still privately owned, bears witness to noble alliances and architectural changes that marked the Faucigny since the Middle Ages.

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