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All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

  2. Patrimoine
  3. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
  4. Isère
  5. 38210 Tullins

  6. Château de Saint-Jean-de-Chepy

Château de Saint-Jean-de-Chepy à Tullins dans l'Isère

Isère

Château de Saint-Jean-de-Chepy

    11 Chemin du Domaine
    38210 Tullins
Photo de Château de Saint-Jean-de-Chepy
Crédit photo : Allan Odp - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1300
1400
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
XIIIe siècle
Initial construction
XIVe siècle
Occupation by the Bressieux
XVIe siècle
Transformation into a castle
1747
Mention on the map of Cassini
28 mars 1977
Historical Monument
2000
Restoration and conversion
2001
First edition of the "Chant des Sculptures"
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Fronts and roofs (excluding the classified South Tower) as well as the interior staircase (Box AB 72): inscription by order of 28 March 1977; The South Tower with murals depicting the signs of the Zodiac and located in the room on the first floor (Box AB 72): classification by decree of 28 March 1977

Key figures

Maurice Bressieu - Mathematician and humanist Sponsor of the Zodiacal vault (17th century).
Auguste Sougey-Avisard - Former teacher and owner (1852) Correspondent of Sainte-Beuve and Amiel.
Henri Martinenghi - Cultural organizer (XXI century) Initiator of the "Meetings Saint-Jean-de-Chepy* in 2001.
Raymond Jaquier et Robert Pierrestiger - Dolphin Sculptors Founders of the "Chant des Sculptures*" (2005).

Origin and history

The Château de Saint-Jean-de-Chepy, located in Tullins en Isère, finds its origins in the 13th century as a strong house called "the meadows". Occupied by the Bressieux family from the 14th century, it served as a summer residence for the Tullins lords. This building, built on a sand tongue near the Fure River, differs from classical feudal constructions in its absence of a castral motte, reflecting a more residential than defensive vocation.

In the 16th century, the castle took the name of Château des Cordes in the 18th century before adopting its current name. Its façade was modified in the 19th century, and then a complete restoration in 2000 transformed it into a space dedicated to private events (marriages, seminars). The southern tower, classified as a Historical Monument in 1977, houses a rare 17th century celestial vault representing the signs of the zodiac, commanded by Maurice Braxle, mathematician and humanist.

The ten-hectare estate, crossed by La Fure, has hosted since 2001 symposia of monumental sculptures (Le Chant des Sculptures), exhibited in the open air. Purchased in 1852 by Auguste Sougey- Avisard, professor and epistolier of literary figures such as Sainte-Beuve, the castle combines historical heritage and cultural dynamism. Its park, accessible for free, also includes hives and a 19th century electric turbine, demonstrating contemporary ecological management.

Partially classified in 1977 (facades, roofs, inside staircase) and entirely for its southern tower, the castle illustrates the architectural evolution of the fortified houses in Dauphiné. Its history reflects social transformations, from a seigneurial residence to a cultural and touristic place of life, while preserving medieval defensive elements such as murderers and scauguettes.

Today run by a private company, the estate organizes contemporary art exhibitions via the ArtChepy association (created in 2008) and open houses. The latest one, in August 2024, made it possible to discover its interior and gardens, where heritage and modern artistic creations are mixed.

External links

Page Wikipedia
Page Monumentum