Fort House of Monthoux en Savoie

Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Monthoux's fort house, also known as Montou's fort house, is a 13th-century building whose ruins remain on the town of Saint-Jean-de-Chevelu in Savoie. It stands on a platform in the hamlet of Monthoux, about a kilometre north-northeast of the village. This monument illustrates the local defensive architecture of the medieval period, typical of Savoyard fortified houses.

The fortified house was first mentioned in the 13th century as property of the Montou family. In 1266 Martin de Montou appeared as a witness in an act in Yenne, alongside Amédée de Gémilieu. In the 15th century, members of this family, such as Philibert de Montou (1440) and Amédée de Montou (1444), were cited in official documents. After this period, the family seems to be extinguished, leaving room for Champrond, from a neighbouring hamlet.

The Champronds kept the house strong until the French Revolution. Several members of this line are attested: Jacques de Champrond (1471), Claude de Champrond (1483), Pompée de Champrond (1484 and 1600), and Louis de Champrond (circa 1560). These nobles pay tribute to the Dukes of Savoy, as evidenced by an act of fidelity of 1483 to Charles I. The fief finally returned to the Duke after the Champrond disappeared.

The house was dismantled in 1794, in accordance with a revolutionary decree aimed at destroying feudal symbols. On 1 April 1794, Maxime Sevez, sent by the national agent of Chambéry, ordered his demolition, then designating it as Champrond Castle. The remains still housed agricultural buildings around 1950, marking their post-medieval reuse.

This monument reflects the seigneurial dynamics of medieval Savoy, between family heritages, alliances and political transformations. Its history is part of that of strong houses, buildings both residential and defensive, characteristic of Savoyard rural landscape before their decline in modern times.

External links