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Origin and history

Pusignan Castle, also known as Chastel-Vieil, is an ancient castle built in the 12th century on a castral motte, built on the ruins of a Roman camp established by Pusinius, lieutenant of Julius Caesar. This camp controlled the way between Lyon (Lugdunum) and Crémieu (Cremiacum). After the fall of Rome, the Burgundians occupied the site before a wooden tower, then in pebbles, was built in the Middle Ages under the name of "Old chatel". Too modest to resist feudal conflicts, it was replaced by a castle fortified by the lords of Moifond, able to shelter the peasants in case of attack.

In 1234, the castle became a fief of the family of Bocsozel, vassal of the Count of Savoy and then of the Dauphin Humbert II. In 1389 King Charles VI authorized his demolition, marking the end of the "Vieux Chatel". The site played a key role in the battle of Anthon in 1430: Alix de Varax, owner, supported the prince of Orange against the Dauphiné. The castle, occupied by an Orange garrison, was taken by the Delphinal troops led by Rodrigue de Villandrando, a road captain. This victory saved the Dauphiné from a Burgundy invasion.

Confiscated by Charles VII after the betrayal of Alix de Varax, the castle was offered to Villandrando before being bought in 1450 by Aymar de Poisieu, former lieutenant of Jeanne d'Arc and close to Louis XI. The following centuries saw the estate pass into the hands of noble families: the Costaing (including Aymar, lieutenant general of falconry under Louis XIII), then the Camus d'Arginy, who became Marquis of Pusignan in 1679. Claude Costaing de Pusignan, the last heir, died in 1689 during a siege in Ireland. The castle, sold several times, was finally looted and burned on 29 July 1789 by robbers and revolted peasants.

Today, only remains of the medieval castle are vestiges of walls and towers, silent witnesses of its turbulent history, linked to feudal struggles, military strategies and upheavals of the Revolution. Its dominant position near Lyon-Saint Exupéry recalls its past importance in defending the territory of Dauphin.

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