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Origin and history

The Château de Servien, also known as Château de Serviantin or Biviers, is a 15th and 16th century building located in the commune of Biviers, in Isère, in the heart of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is part of the "Valley of the Hundred Castles", a set of fortified houses and castles scattered in the Gresivaudan. Originally, he succeeded a 13th century strong house, designed for a defensive function, before being transformed into a residence of pleasure.

In the 15th century, the castle belonged to the family of Morard d'Arces, whose weapons still adorn the front of the entrance door. From 1500 to 1655 he was the home of four generations of the Servien de Biviers family. This place marked the birth of Abel Servien, a statesman and diplomat, who became Superintendent of Finance under Mazarin in 1653. The successive developments, from the Renaissance to the 19th century, made it a comfortable residence while preserving medieval elements.

Architecturally, the castle consists of two houses in square, flanked by three towers: two rounds to the southeast and one square to the north. These elements, combined with its position at the foot of the Chartreuse massif, give it a defensive and elegant look. Only facades and roofs have been protected as historical monuments since a decree of 4 November 1960.

The castle is located near two major axes linking Grenoble to Chambéry: the A41 motorway and the old national road 90 (now RD 1090). Its location, between the mountains of Belledonne and the Chartreuse, makes it a strategic point in the valley. Today, there remains a characteristic example of architectural transformations on medieval castles to adapt them to the tastes of the Renaissance and later eras.

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