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Origin and history

The castle of La Bâtie-Seyssel, also known as Bâtie d'Arvey, is an ancient 13th century castle located in the commune of Barby, Savoie. Installed on a rocky spur overlooking the Leysse, it allowed to control the ancient Roman way linking the Savoy Combe to Seyssel via Chambéry. Its origin probably dates back to a feudal fortress built on an earlier Gallo-Roman building, as evidenced by the mosaics of the fourth century integrated into its chapel.

The first written mention of the castle dates from the end of the 13th century, in feudal recognitions related to Hugues de Seyssel, younger son of Humbert III. The latter inherited the fief of La Bâtie, giving birth to the younger branch of the Seyssel-La Bâtie. The castle, the center of a seigneury and then a chestnut, then extends over the parishes of Barby and Curienne. Over the centuries, it passed into the hands of various branches of the Seyssel family, then was sold in 1679 to François d'Oncieu, president of the Chamber of Accounts of Savoie.

Architecturally, the castle consists of an oblong fortified enclosure, marrying the rock, with a circular master tower (XIIIth century?) and a semicircular tower dated 1472. The house, rebuilt in the 16th century, is flanked by a 13th century chapel restored in the 15th century, sheltering Gallo-Roman mosaics discovered in Arbin. The west entrance, preceded by a bastion, preserves an ogival door with harrow groove. The Organ Tower, built in 1472 by Pierre de Seyssel, dominates the site with its cunning parapet on mâchicoulis.

The castle has been partially listed as historical monuments since 1972, with protection extended in 2023. It illustrates the architectural evolution of Savoyard castles, mixing medieval defensive elements (archères, dungeon) and Renaissance (cross-windows, lintel doors). Its strategic role, linked to the control of channels of communication, reflects the political and military stakes of the medieval Savoy.

The castle of La Bâtie-Seyssel, whose castle was the seat, was managed by a chestnut named by the Count of Savoie. The latter collected tax revenues and maintained the castle, as evidenced by the accounts kept at the Savoie Departmental Archives for the period 1503-1504. In 1699, the seigneury was erected as a marquisat by letters patent of the king of Sardinia Victor-Amédée III, marking its importance in the Savoyard feudal organization.

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