Echelle Castle

Echelle Castle, locally known as Château de l'Echelle, lies in the center of the town of La Roche-sur-Foron, in the Haute-Savoie department in France.

Echelle Castle was probably first built as a fortified tower house, which was part of the town's defenses, in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 14th century.

In 1602 the town was under the rule of the Duchy of Savoy. In December their troops tried to take the city of Geneva by surprise, scaling the city walls with ladders to open its gates from inside and invade the city. They failed miserably. Some of the ladders which had been used in this attack had been stored in this castle, hence its name; echelle is french for ladder.

I could not find any other historical information about this castle. So, if you know more, please mail me.

At present Echelle Castle is used for cultural events. Just some hundred meters to the south lies another castle in this town; La Roche-sur-Foron Castle.

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