Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Chignin Towers, located in the Savoy department on the town of Chignin, form the remains of an ancient medieval camp. This archaeological site, listed as historical monuments since 1991, extends over 4 hectares and consists of seven 12th century residence towers, a fortified village (the "Villard") and a castral church. Four towers were square, two circulars, and one has now disappeared. The towers were joined by courtines flanked by round towers, supplemented by three advanced works: the towers of l'Heroda, La Platiere and La Fontaine.

Around 1100, a castle and its chapel are mentioned in Chignin, held by a local family that died in the 13th century. The seigneury was then divided between several heirs, each erecting a tower. Between 1233 and 1253 Amédée V de Savoie, in conflict with the Dauphiné, ordered the construction of a enclosure to close the site. The towers become seigneurial residences, such as that of La Place, Bourdeau or Montagny, often transmitted by inheritance or marriage. The site was occupied several times during Franco-Savoyard conflicts, notably in 1690, 1703 and 1792.

In the 18th century, some towers fell into ruins or were transformed, such as the Corraz tower, called a "massure" in 1738, or the Poype, replaced by a modern house. The tower of Montagny, round and highest, remains partially, as does the tower of Bourdeau, abrased but preserving remains of chimney and murderers. The tower of Verdun, quadrangular, shows traces of fireplace and stone walls. The Biguerne, or Clos Saint-Anthelme, linked to the family of Saint-Anthelme, became in the 20th century a house of rest before being partially bought by the commune in 2005.

Archaeological campaigns conducted in 1983 and 1985 by Bernard Demotz confirmed the consistency of the fortified ensemble, possibly dating from the early Middle Ages, according to historian Jean Mesqui. The site illustrates the evolution of defensive and seigneurial structures in Savoie, between military conflicts, family transmissions and architectural adaptations. Today, the Chignin Towers remain a major testimony of the medieval Savoyard heritage, mixing feudal history and archaeological remains.

External links