Château de Thonon, Medieval castle ruins in Thonon-les-Bains, France
Château de Thonon is a medieval fortress in ruins located on elevated ground above Lake Geneva and the Alpine landscape of Haute-Savoie. The stone foundations and walls reveal the original layout of the fortress, with passages and defensive positions still visible among the remains.
Count Amadeus V of Savoy founded the fortress in 1288 as a regional administrative center. The structure was later renovated and then damaged during 17th-century conflicts between Savoy and Geneva that led to its partial abandonment.
The ruins show how people of the Savoyard period built their defensive structures and organized their settlements. Today, visitors can walk through the site and see how the fortress related to the valley below and the water beyond.
The ruins can be reached by a marked path from Place du Château in the town center, and the elevated location offers views of the surrounding area. Information panels along the route explain the medieval architecture and help visitors understand the fortress layout.
The fortress was strategically damaged and partially destroyed during 17th-century conflicts between Savoy and Geneva, leaving behind physical scars on the stonework. These marks of warfare remain visible on the walls today, making the site a tangible record of regional disputes.
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