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Origin and history

Jasseron Castle, originally built in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 13th century, was the centre of a major seigneury in the Revermont. Situated on a ridge 1 km from the church of Jasseron (Ain), it combines a truncated castral motte and a large low-court with ramparts. Its remains include a horseshoe dungeon, houses organized around a courtyard, and the traces of a medieval priory founded in the 13th century, with a chapel today arased. The site illustrates the classical military architecture of the Middle Ages, with square and hexagonal towers probably dating from the 14th century.

The history of the castle is marked by changes of influential owners. Around 980-990 Richier de Coligny, son of Manassès de Coligny, donated it to the abbey of Saint-Claude, which kept it until the thirteenth century. In 1212, Abbé Bernard III de Thoire hired him to Stephen II de Thoire-Villars, then he was infiltrated at Amé de Coligny around 1230, which rebuilt him. In 1300, the abbey ceded its rights to half of the castle, which passed partially to Savoie's house in 1304 after a sale by Étienne de Coligny. The site was attacked in 1307 by the Sire of Thoire-Villars during repair work.

In the 16th century, the castle changed hands several times: alienated in 1586 by the Duke of Savoie Charles-Emmanuel I at Joachim de Rye, it was integrated into the Marquisat de Treffort. After passing between the families of Longwy, Créquy, and Perrachon, it was sold in 1735 to Antoine-Philibert de Grollier. Already in ruins in 1601, his remains were listed as historical monuments in 1927. The castle symbolizes feudal struggles and alliances between noble families, abbots, and Counts of Savoy, reflecting the turbulent history of Revermont.

The protection of the site, effective since 1927, covers the remains of the dungeon, the houses, and the priory. The lower courtyard, surrounded by chalks and reinforced with towers, shows a defensive organization typical of medieval castles. The chapel, founded in the 13th century by agreement between the Colignys and the Abbey of Saint-Claude, was destroyed in the 19th century. Today, the ruins offer an architectural testimony of the Xth–XVIth centuries, linked to the history of the lords of Coligny and the abbots of Saint-Claude.

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