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Origin and history

The château du Bourget, also known as the château de Thomas II or the Counts de Savoie, is a 13th century old palace, later enlarged, whose ruins are located in the commune of Bourget-du-Lac in Savoie. Built on the initiative of Thomas II de Savoie, brother of Count Amédée IV, it served as a residence for pleasure, hunting and diplomacy. Its strategic location, on the plain near the lake and the Leysse, allowed access by river and land, while controlling the road between Lyon and Chambéry.

The land, originally owned by the Clunisian Priory of Bourget, was transferred to Thomas II in 1248 after negotiations led by Amédée IV. Construction, according to historians, started between 1248 and the mid-thirteenth century, although the early chestnut accounts only mention works from 1289. The castle quickly became a major comtal residence, frequented by Amédée V, which spent his childhood there and made it a political center, strengthening its defences with ditches.

In the 15th century, the castle was gradually abandoned to other residences such as Ripail, despite some renovations for important events, such as the princely marriages of 1403 and 1427. A fire in the mid-15th century accelerated its decline. After centuries of abandonment and partial dismantling, the ruins were classified as Historic Monument in 1983. Archaeological excavations, conducted since the 19th century, have provided a better understanding of its quadrilateral plan, towers and residential and defensive functions.

The castle was the heart of a castle including the village of Chambéry, future Savoyard capital. His organization was part of Savoy's bailiff, with a chestnut named to manage tax revenues and site maintenance. The current remains, including three of the four original towers, bear witness to its past importance. The partly preserved northwest tower reveals traces of paintings and comfort amenities, such as chimneys and latrines.

Today, the site is protected and managed by the commune of Bourget-du-Lac. The restoration campaigns, particularly between 1990 and 1993, helped to consolidate the remaining structures. An Ornithological Reserve, the "Buttet Estate", was created nearby in 1991, combining historical heritage and ecological preservation.

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