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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Château du Fayet, located in Barraux in the department of Isère, is a 16th and 17th century building that uses medieval elements, including a derailed dungeon. It dominates the Gresivaudan Valley, near Fort Barraux, and is part of a landscape marked by the military and seigneurial history of the region. The site was initially occupied as early as the 12th century by a strong house, reflecting an ancient and strategic occupation.

In 1573 the castle saw the birth of Charles de Valois, the future Duke of Angoulême, the natural son of King Charles IX and Marie Touchet. That same year, Jean de Maniquet, then owner, enlarged the castle using stones from the demolition of the Delphinal castle of La Buissière, on the order of Charles IX. These transformations mark a period of renovation and adaptation to Renaissance architectural standards.

In the 18th century, the castle remained a notable place: Count Louis Laurent Fayd However, the building fell in ruins around 1840 before being saved in 1894 by Gustave Rivet, Senator of Isère. The latter undertook restoration works that preserved its architectural heritage, including its French-style ceilings, 18th and 19th century woodwork, and a 17th century historic fireplace.

The castle of the Fayet is partially protected as a historical monument: its terraces and its fireplace, known as "DAngoulême", are listed in 1988 and 1972 respectively. Today, it embodies a heritage combining medieval, renaissant and classical influences, reflecting the social and political evolutions of the region since the Middle Ages.

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