Castle of Lutrin en Savoie

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Origin and history

Lutrin Castle, also known as Lustrin Castle, is an ancient medieval castle built in the 13th century. Located in the commune of Saint-Paul, Savoy, it was the center of the seigneury of Lutrin. Its ruins, now buried in the woods, recall its strategic importance and its link with the local powers of the time, including the bishops of Belley and the Counts of Savoy.

In the 13th century, the seigneury of Lutrin belonged first to the bishops of Belley before passing under the control of the Counts of Savoy. In 1286, Amédée V de Savoie ceded the seigneury to Josselin du Pont in exchange for services. The Pont family retained Lutrin until 1369, when Arthaud du Pont, the last heir who had become parish priest, sold the fief to the Escrivaiu, a noble family from Belley. This transfer marks the beginning of a series of changes of owners, reflecting the alliances and matrimonial strategies of Savoyard aristocracy.

In 1530 the seigneury belonged to the family of Amblards, who then passed it on to the Marestes by marriage. Charles des Amblards, lord of Lutrin, paid tribute to François I in 1536, while Savoie was occupied by France. The seigneury later passed to Compeys, then, around 1730, to Claude-François Goybet, intendant of the Genevois. At that time, the castle is already in ruins, symbol of a feudal past in decline.

The ruins of the castle of Lutrin are now in the woods of the commune of Saint Paul, although the source text also mentions a location in Lutrin, which could indicate confusion or an evolution of the communal boundaries. The site, though degraded, remains an architectural testimony of the power struggles and social dynamics of the Middle Ages in Savoy.

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