You could compare this place to a giant Kinder Surprise, where once you’ve devoured the outer shell, you’re left with a surprise that never fails to impress. Except that here, the “chocolate” is made of 13th-century stone, and the “plastic figurine” is an incredible collection of objects, each one more unusual than the last. Whether you like chocolate or not, the Château de Montrottier is definitely worth a visit.
Montrottier Castle, a medieval gem on the outskirts of Lyon
At the foot of the Alps, Montrottier Castle has stood proudly in the town of Lovagny since the 13th century. But it was in the 15th century that the site experienced its golden age: the castle was expanded when it was taken over by Pierre de Menthon, ambassador to Amadeus VIII, the first Duke of Savoy. From that point on, the stronghold played a strategic role, as it was situated along the Fier River and controlled its crossing points.
Like most other historic buildings, such as the Royal Abbey of Hautecombe or the Abbey of Ambronay, the Château de Montrottier has undergone its share of demolitions, transformations, and renovations… When you consider that its imposing keep, dating from the 15th century, stands 35 meters tall with load-bearing walls 3 meters thick, you realize that the construction work must have been quite a feat.
The guard room, the knights’ quarters, the religious tower… the castle has stood the test of time while retaining a beautiful sense of unity and undeniable aesthetic appeal. In fact, its appearance, with its magnificent surrounding gardens, clearly resembles the image we all have from childhood of a medieval castle.
A cabinet of curiosities housing 13,000 objects
After several renovations between the French Revolution and the 19th century, the estate was acquired in 1906 by a major art collector, Léon Marès. Upon his death in 1916, having no heirs, he bequeathed the entire castle and its collections tothe Académie Florimontane (a learned society founded in 1606 in Annecy). The will imposed a strict condition: the collections were to remain exactly as he had left them, and the château was to be open to the public. It opened in 1919 and was subsequently awarded the prestigious “Musée de France” designation.
The castle’s exhibition halls invite visitors on a journey (artifacts from ancient Egypt, samurai armor, Oriental pottery). And yet! Here’s an unusual fact: Léon Marès hardly ever traveled. He was a sort of Professor Calculus—a passionate collector who meticulously researched every object before acquiring it. At the time, he even had a menagerie in his garden that included an ostrich named Aglaé!
The castle is located in the town of Lovagny , just a few kilometers from Annecy and a stone’s throw from the Gorges du Fier. This getaway allows you to combine history and nature inone of the most beautiful parts of our Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
