The castle of Faverges officially entered history on December 8, 1112. The first known lord of the place is Berlion. His family, despite the vicissitudes of history, remained in place until the 16th century.
The current castle succeeded a first building. Due to its position, this castle has played an important strategic role in the conflicts between the House of Savoy and that of Geneva.
The keep, the oldest architectural element of the complex, was built in the 13th century. It is a round tower characteristic of the constructions of this period. They were popularized in Savoy under Peter II also nicknamed "the Little Charlemagne". Together with the courtyard and the basements, everything has been included in the Supplementary Inventory of Historical Monuments (ISMH) since 1991.
The other buildings forming the castle have experienced various fortunes throughout history (fires, repairs, adaptation to new functions).
Climbing the 145 steps that lead to the panoramic gallery, it is to discover the history of the castle and that of its various owners, to become aware of its role: first, place of power, then residence, place with industrial vocation (manufacture then silk), social (military hospital, colony of the Swiss Red Cross) and finally tourist.
It is also moving on a 360° panorama opening onto the mountains of the Regional Natural Park of the Massif des Bauges, the first hunting reserve and third Geopark of France (87th world), the birth of the Massif des Bornes, the basin of Faverges and the surrounding villages.
The landscape reading allows to approach the formation of reliefs and valleys, the evolution of the occupation and human activities and that of the city of Protohistory to the present day. Finally, the natural history can be evoked through the "inhabitants" of the Keep and also thanks to the Museum of butterflies and insects of the castle installed in one of its wings and which presents more than 5000 species including all the diurnal fauna of the PNR of the Massif des Bauges.
Written documents (historical and panoramic) will be provided to facilitate your visit.
At the top, a Guide du Patrimoine de Savoie Mont-Blanc will answer your questions.
The keep is not accessible to people with reduced mobility however we will be available to answer any questions. Special attention is paid to people with hearing, psychic or visual impairments. Do not hesitate to contact us.
Last climb at 15:40 on Saturday and 17:40 on Sunday