Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de la Barollière, located on the slopes of Mont Verdun in Limonest, was first mentioned in 1374 when it was sold by Françoise de Meiresieu, widow of Mathieu de Mure, to Jean de Villiers. This document attests to its existence in the 14th century, a period marked in Europe by the Hundred Years War and the Great Pest. Although its exact date of construction remains unknown, its defensive role is suggested by its strategic position on a terrace overlooking the region.

In the 16th century, the castle changed hands several times: in 1588, Jeanne de Villiers, widow of Antoine Faure, gave him to Vincent Richard, Lyon bourgeois and future bishop. His weapons, still visible on the kitchen chimney, testify to his influence. In 1665 Pierre Langenu, provincial treasurer of the wars, became the owner of it thanks to the dowry of his wife, Jeanne Michon. These transactions reflect the social rise of Lyon bourgeois families, often linked to trade or the royal administration.

The 18th century marked a turning point with the acquisition of the castle in 1750 by John II Maritz, commissioner of artillery fonts and son of the inventor of the cannon drilling. He undertook major modernizations: creation of panelled lounges open on a terrace offering stunning views, transformation of windows, and addition of wrought iron balconies stamped "JM". The interior decorations (trompe-l-oeil, gypseries, woodwork) date back to this period, as evidenced by the chimney plates bearing his weapons and the date of 1769. These developments illustrate the evolution of castles into recreational residences, adapted to aristocratic lifestyles.

The French Revolution changed its history: in 1793, after the siege of Lyon, the widow of John II Maritz, Judith Déonna, fled to Switzerland and sold the castle to merchants of goods. The conventional Châteauneuf-Randon resides there temporarily to supervise the siege. These events reflect the political tensions of the time and the fate of the noble or bourgeois families linked to the Old Regime. In 1810, Romain Baboin, a Lyon banker exiled under the Revolution, bought the Barollière and was anointed by Louis XVIII in 1814 for his services during emigration. His family, involved in silk and banking, kept the castle until today.

The castle, which was listed as historical monuments in 1926, also welcomed military figures in subsequent conflicts: Marshal Augereau in 1814 during the French Campaign, and Duke Ferdinand-Philippe d'Orléans in 1831 during the canut revolt. These episodes highlight its strategic role, despite its transformation into a seigneurial residence and then a family home. Since 2016, a restoration project, supported by the DRAC and the Region, aims to preserve the 18th century salons and medieval defensive elements, such as the four square towers and the watch tower.

Architecturally, the castle combines a rectangular house flanked by medieval towers and classic additions, such as the arcades of the inner courtyard or the door with bosses decorated with lion muffles. Its location offers a panoramic view of the Monts du Lyonnais, recalling its dual historical use: surveillance fortress and symbol of power for its successive owners, from medieval lords to Lyon industrialists.

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