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Origin and history

The castle of La Cueille, mentioned from the 13th century under the names La Cuolly or La Cuyllie, is an old strong house (domus de Cuoli) located on a rocky spur overlooking the river d-Ain of 70 meters. This strategic site controlled river traffic between Bresse and Bugey, including the transport of fir rafts to Lyon and the Mediterranean. The castle was accompanied by a wine village (AOC Cerdon) and a Gothic chapel, reinforcing its local importance.

Originally, the castle belonged to a member of the Coligny family before being sold in 1299 to Humbert de Luyrieux, who placed it under the protection of the Sires of Thoire-Villars, nicknamed the "kings of the Mountains". The family of Luyrieux preserved La Cueille until the beginning of the 16th century, when it passed by alliance to the Mareschals, then successively to the Chamber, La Poype de Granet, and Quinson. The oldest parts (XIVth-15th centuries), like the square dungeon decorated with coats of arms, are attributed to them.

In the 19th century, the castle was restored by Joachim Chavent (circa 1860), with the help of architects Giroud and Savy, before passing to Seyssel, then to Montalembert. A notable event took place in 1947: the marriage to Poncin de Philippe de Gaulle, son of the general, with Henriette de Montalembert, then resident of the castle. Since 2021, the Poret family has been restoring it for a future public opening.

Architecturally, the castle adopts a triangular plan of about 65 meters per side, once girded by seven towers (two of which remain today). The donjon, dated from the 14th century, houses a dogive vault and heated by a large fireplace. In the 18th century, the courtyard was flattened to create a terrace with views of the valley, while wine outbuildings were added in the 19th century to the location of the old ditches.

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