Faucigny Castle

Faucigny Castle, locally known as Château de Faucigny, lies on a hill next to the village with the same name in the Arve river valley, in the Haute-Savoie department in France.

Faucigny Castle was first mentioned in 1119. Several sources believe that the castle already existed in 1026. It was preceded by an oppidum at the same site. The castle was the main seat of the Lords of Faucigny until the 13th century when they moved to the castle of Châtillon sur Cluses. In 1262 the castle went to the County of Savoy. In 1268 Agnès de Faucigny died and left the castle to her husband; Peter II, Count of Savoy. From then on the castle was occupied by a garrison under the command of a steward. The function of steward was carried out by several families; the Lucinges, the Fléchère's, the Menthon's and Moyron's.

Under the prerogative of Geneva-Nemours branch of the House of Savoy, Faucigny Castle served as a prison until it was abandoned in the middle of the 17th century after which it fell to ruin.

In 1699 the ruins were bought from Victor Amadeus II of Sardinia, Duke of Savoy, by the Barnabites, a Roman Catholic Order. During the French Revolution the castle ruins served as a quarry. And even in 1891 the ruin of the keep, which had been standing up until a height of almost 10 meters, was torn down and its stones were used to build a rectory.

As you can see on the pictures it was very misty when I visited. I must say that this added a lot to the atmosphere of the otherwise not very spectacular castle ruins. At present the ruins of Faucigny Castle are freely accessible.

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