Château de Jasseron

Château de Jasseron is a castle ruin featuring a horseshoe-shaped keep surrounded by walls with square and hexagonal towers creating a fortified enclosure. The site sits on a ridge and contains remains of medieval buildings including a former priory, underground chambers, and a chapel foundation.

Around 974, a local noble named Richer donated the castle to the Saint-Claude Abbey when he entered monastic life, linking the site to religious authority. The fortress later developed into a fully fortified structure with separate defensive and residential zones typical of medieval military architecture.

The site shows how medieval lords organized their castles with two distinct parts, an artificial mound and a lower courtyard, revealing how people separated defense from daily life.

The ruins sit about one kilometer northeast of Jasseron village church on an elevated ridge, offering open views across the surrounding landscape. The hilltop location means you should plan for some walking uphill and be prepared for exposed weather conditions.

Beneath the visible ruins are vaulted underground chambers that once served multiple functions beyond simple defense, suggesting the fortress also functioned as storage and a refuge. These hidden spaces reveal how medieval castles needed to support not just soldiers but entire communities during uncertain times.