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Origin and history

The castle of Seyssuel is an ancient episcopal castle built in the 12th century on a rock overlooking the Rhone, in the municipality of Seyssuel (Isère). Also known as "Château de la Roche-Piquée", it was a strategic fortress between Vienna and Lyon, now accessible only by footpaths. Its ruins, among the best preserved in the department, have been protected since 1994.

The castle was set on fire in the 12th century by Jean de Torchechelon, lord of Montcarra, in conflict with Archbishop Thibaud de Rougemont, who demanded his vassality. Reconstructed, it survived intact until the 16th century, when the Huguenots seized it during the religious wars and permanently dismantled it. The site, never rebuilt, now belongs to a private owner.

Visible remains include the square dungeon and walls of the main house body. The castle overlooks the A7 motorway and the Paris-Lyon-Marseille railway line, demonstrating its historic role in controlling the lines of communication. His history is documented in works such as those of Marcel Paillaret (1993), who details his relationship with the archbishops of Vienna.

Ranked a historic monument in 1994, the site is a private property only accessible outside. Its state of conservation makes it a remarkable example of medieval castral architecture in Isère, despite its abandonment after the wars of religion.

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