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Origin and history

Château de la Rochette, also known as château du Vernay, is a castle built around the middle of the 13th century in the commune of Lully, Haute-Savoie. Built on an isolated rock surrounded by the brook des Mosses, it originally belonged to the lords of Cervens, a local noble family. Its strategic location, at the edge of Perrignier, reflects its defensive role in the Savoyard region.

Gerold de Cervens, a member of this lineage, is quoted as probable initiator of its construction before 1340. The castle changed hands in 1473, when Françoise de Cervens du Vernay, dame de la Rochette, left him by will to her husband, Guillaume d'Allinges, seigneur of Coudreée. This transfer marks a transition in its history, while keeping it in the circle of Savoyard noble families.

The building suffered major damage in 1590, falling into ruins, but remained the property of the heirs until 1840, the date of its sale. During this period, its stones and rock were partially exploited as a quarry. At the end of the 19th century, it belonged to a certain M. Dénarié. The remaining remains, including a polygonal enclosure flanked by round towers and a dungeon, were protected by an inscription to historic monuments on May 11, 1932.

Architecturally, the castle is characterized by a defensive structure typical of the Middle Ages, with an entrance preceded by a low enclosure. Its cylindrical dungeon, located to the north, and its two southern towers illustrate the fortification techniques of the time. Today, its ruins recall the strategic importance of castles in Savoy, between territorial control and symbols of seigneurial power.

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