Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château des Allues is a 16th century fortress built in 1557 by Odouar de Lescheraines, senator in the Senate of Savoie. Simple and austere, it reflects the defensive architecture of the era, with thick walls and murderers. Located in Savoy, it overlooks the Isère valley and the vineyards of Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte, in a natural setting marked by the Belledonne chain.

The construction took place in three phases: an initial rectangular building (1557), a L-shaped extension with defensive farm body, then a closing of the L in the 18th century, adding an east tower and a monumental staircase. The frame, rebuilt in the 17th century in solid oak, is a masterpiece of companionship. The estate also includes a chapel, a mill and a washhouse, testifying to its historical wine-growing activity.

Owned by the family of Lescheraines until the 18th century, the castle then passed to Dunoyer and then to Certeau de la Barge. In the 19th century, it became a winery, now integrated into the Savoy wine area. The park, with 1,500 plant varieties and its award-winning vegetable garden, is open to the public and welcomes artists in residence.

The name Allues evokes a medieval free zone, where the lord had to provide work to his subjects in exchange for tax exemptions. This status reflects the Savoyard social organization, where nobility of dress and agricultural activities coexisted. The strong house, though modest, illustrates the defensive and economic role of local seigneuries.

Restored in 2004, the castle retains its original elements: transformed towers, two-paned roof (sign of wealth in Savoy), and a vaulted cellar. Its history thus combines architectural heritage, viticulture and seigneurial life, in a landscape preserved between mountains and vineyards.

Today, the estate combines historical preservation and cultural dynamism, with exhibitions, land art and a dedicated hiking tour. The gardens, which are freely accessible, perpetuate a tradition of sustainable agriculture, crowned by the first SNHF prize in 2011.

External links