Château de Chazay, Medieval castle in Chazay-d'Azergues, France.
The Château de Chazay is a medieval castle built from golden stone with a tower and a spiral staircase turret sitting on a hilltop overlooking the Azergues Valley. The structure is surrounded by walls that frame the entire complex on the hillside.
The castle was built in the 15th century on the remains of Roman structures and was once owned by the Ainay abbots. In 1827 it became a girls' boarding school, and in 1923 it received protected monument status.
The carved door and fireplace show how medieval craftsmen worked with stone and wood to create lasting beauty. These details help visitors understand what daily life looked like for people living in such a place during that era.
The castle is located less than 30 minutes from Lyon and about 15 minutes from Villefranche-sur-Saône, making it easy to reach from the valley below. Its hilltop position allows visitors to explore both outdoor areas and interior spaces with shelter.
Knight Bayard, nephew of Abbot Theodore Terrail who rebuilt the castle, stayed here several times during his career as a famous mercenary. This connection reveals how the fortress played a role in the regional power struggles of the medieval period.
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