Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of the Sône is an ancient 14th century castle, built on a rocky piton overlooking Isère and the village of La Sône, in Isère. Originally, the site housed a Gallic oppidum, replaced in the Middle Ages by a strong house attested as early as 1210 in letters patent of Emperor Othon IV. This first building, linked to the abbey of Montmajour, was enlarged and fortified in the 14th century by Ardanchon de la Reffrairie, vassal of the Dolphin Humbert of Vienna. The strategic position of the site, controlling a Roman bridge and a haulage road, made it a coveted place.

In the 15th century, the dolphin Louis (later Louis XI) stayed there during hunting parties in Claix forest. Ravaged during the Wars of Religion in the 16th century, the castle was besieged by Lesdiguieres before being acquired in 1603 by Félicien de Boffin, General Advocate in the Parliament of Grenoble. The latter undertook important work: reconstruction of the West Tower, redevelopment of the house, and creation of a French-style park. The chapel, decorated with paintings from the 17th century, dates from this blissful period when the Boffin family kept the estate for nearly two centuries.

In the 19th century, the castle passed into the hands of the Jubilee, silk industry, before changing several owners, including Baron de Jarente (1875) and Doctor Collignon (1890). In the 20th century, Charles and Viola Morel (1952–1975) restored the roofs, gardens and interior, welcoming personalities like Françoise Sagan, inspired by the places for his novel Château in Sweden. Since 2017, Clothilde Vermont has been conducting major restoration work, including on the park damaged by a storm in 2019. The castle, always private, is not open to the public.

The architecture combines a medieval tower with machicolis (14th century), a body of Renaissance houses, and 19th century amenities. The 4-hectare park, classified as a historic monument in 1995, houses rare species (séquoias, ginkgo biloba) and a Louis XIV basin. The chapel, facades and roofs have been protected since 1968. No public grants have financed recent restorations with private funds.

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