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Origin and history

The château of Grésy, built between the 11th and 12th centuries in Grésy-sur-Aix (Savoie), rises on the remains of a Roman oppidum and an ancient path from Aix to Annecy. Strategically positioned at the border of Savoie and Geneva counties, he monitored the Bauges massif and the entrance to Albanais. Roman antiquities, including an inscription reported in 1824, attest to his ancient occupation.

In the 13th century, the castle became the center of a mandate dependent on the Counts of Geneva. In 1287, the treaty of Annemasse placed him under Savoyard suzeraineté: Pierre I of Grésy in homage to the Count of Geneva in 1289. The fief finally passed to Savoie in 1401, after the purchase of the county of Geneva. François de Grésy, last heir, gave him in 1422 to Amédée VIII de Savoie, who successively attributed him to lords such as Manfred de Saluces and Jacques de Clermont.

In the 16th century, the castle changed hands several times: sold in 1563 to Louis Oddinet, bought by Jacques de Savoie-Nemours in 1572, then given in 1575 to Guillaume de Portes, president of the Parliament of the Dauphiné. Despite repairs in 1579 (gallery and housework), it fell into ruins in 1684. Only the tower dungeon remains, given in dowry to Françoise Carron in 1792. The current remains include this square dungeon (15×26 m), pantry walls, and traces of a double fossilized enclosure.

The castle housed a castle, administrative and judicial headquarters from the thirteenth century. The chestnut, an officer appointed by the Counts of Geneva and then of Savoie, managed the tax revenues and maintenance of the premises. In the 14th century, the châtellenie of Grésy was attached to that of Cessens. The excavations revealed Roman steles and a sarcophagus in Saint Peter's chapel, where probably Jeanne d'Aragon, wife of Guillaume de Portes, was buried.

Today, the ruins of the castle of Grésy bear witness to its military and seigneurial role, between feudal conflicts and progressive decline. Its dungeon, the last major vestige, recalls medieval defensive architecture, while the Roman inscriptions underline its historic multi-year anchor.

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