The first fortress, which was nothing more than a wooden tower, was built on this site in the 6th century. Moats, palisades, and earth embankments helped protect this tower. Because of the lack of elevation, builders had to rely on water to provide defense—the lake on the north side of the property and a moat on the other three sides.

The property first belonged to the abbey of Saint Maurice d’Agaune, and one its priors made his home here. By 1245 the tower had become a massive stone fortress and ownership was now in the hands of the Henri d’Allinges family.

Through the centuries Bernese, Savoyard, and Genevese soldiers laid siege to the castle, inflicting varying amounts of damage. After each siege the castle was rebuilt and its defenses adjusted to account for new styles of warfare: a better drawbridge, staircases to replace clumsy ladders, and a new style of window.

The Bartholoni family took possession of the castle in the 19th century. Prince Louis Bonaparte conferred the position of deputy for the Haute-Savoie on Anatole Bartholoni. His nephew married Louise Grimaldi, a relative of the reigning family of Monaco. He undertook the complete restoration of the castle, rebuilding the walls, gateways, portcullises, and arrow-slit windows. The moats were re-excavated and the interiors decorated in the style of the Italian Renaissance.

Pamela’s Perspective

This elegant castle splendidly situated on the banks of lovely Lake Geneva, is near the French Alps and the spa town of Evian (the popular bottled water comes from here). The château is on the best part of Lake Geneva’s south shore; casinos in many of the nearby towns draw the visitors.

Take note that the castle has no elevator.