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Key figures

Origin and history

The tower without Venin is the last vestige of the castle of Pariset, built in the 13th century on the heights of Seyssinet-Pariset, in Isère. This ruined dungeon, owned by the dolphins of Vienna in 1339, overlooks Grenoble from a hill at 666 m, offering a panorama over the valleys of Isère, Drac, and the mountains of Chartreuse and Belledonne. Its enigmatic name has inspired several legends, none of which is historically verified.

Visible remains include an angle of the dungeon, traces of courtines, and the location of a tank. A 13th century Romanesque chapel, Notre-Dame de Pariset, stands at the foot of the tower. The site, one of the seven wonders of Dauphiné, also houses a modern telecommunications transmitter (TDF, Free, EDF), broadcasting TNT and radio signals.

The documented history of the castle remains fragmentary. A territorial trial with the Lord of Sassenage and acts mentioning the Dauphinese property are among the rare archives. No source confirms the legends related to her name (snakes, holy land, St.Veran), although the neighbouring chapel, dedicated to the Virgin, suggests a medieval religious context.

The site combines medieval heritage and contemporary utility: the transmitter covers Grenoble and its region, while the ruins, accessible, attract for their exceptional views and historical mystery. The tower also symbolizes the conservation challenges of Dauphin castles, often reduced to scattered remains.

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