Château de la Barre

Château de la Barre stands on the western slope of Mont de Cordon, combining 14th-century fortifications with a main building from the 20th century. The structure maintains its original defensive layout with preserved fortification elements.

The castle was built as a fortification to control the Rhône corridor and later served as a toll station and judicial court. Its elevated position allowed surveillance of all traffic moving through the region.

The castle inspired Stendhal after events in 1826 that influenced his novel 'The Red and the Black', giving it literary significance. The story of this place continues to shape how people understand the region today.

The castle sits on an elevated position, which affects both the views and the approach to the site. Visitors should keep in mind that the hillside location impacts mobility and how to plan walking routes.

The place witnessed a dramatic incident when seminarian Antoine Berthe shot Henriette de Cordon in the church in 1826. The event led to his execution and left a lasting mark on the location's story.

Location: Brégnier-Cordon

GPS coordinates: 45.63222,5.62278

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:27