Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Milliassière Castle is an ancient strong house built between the 14th and 15th centuries, probably on the foundations of an older building belonging to the Buffevent family. Located on a hill of Succieu (Isère), it was remodeled several times, especially in the seventeenth century where it retained the appearance of a strong house flanked by two diagonal towers. The major transformations took place in the 19th century, with an expansion of the north wing in 1813 and the development of a park in the 1880s, including a water room and an access driveway.

The castle changed hands among influential families of the Grenoble Parliament, such as the Rabot, the Buffevent, and then the Bourg-Césarges until 1809. A milestone in its history is the reuse of stones from the old fortified house in Buffevent, which were recovered from an older building. In 1913, the north wing was further enlarged, giving the castle its present "T" shape, with two turrets and two circular towers decorated with machicoulis.

Since 2018, the estate has hosted a music festival organized by the association Les Amis de Milliassière, offering eclectic programming (jazz, opera, tango). The castle, normally closed to the public, opens exceptionally during these events. Its proximity to other historical sites, such as the Quinsonnas castle, and its access via the stations of Caxle or Bourgoin-Jallieu make it a cultural place anchored in the local heritage.

The author Eric Tasset, specialist of the castles of Isère, emphasizes in his book Châteaux forts de l'Isère (2005) the architectural importance of the site, mixing medieval heritage and subsequent adaptations. The machicoulis and circular towers bear witness to its defensive origin, while the 19th and 20th century developments reflect its evolution into a seigneurial residence and then into a place of culture.

The festival, created in 2018, had to postpone its 2020 and 2021 editions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but resumed in 2022 with a variety of programming, ranging from lectures on Mozart to cellist recitals. Subsequent editions confirmed its anchoring in the regional cultural landscape, attracting local and international artists.

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