Château de Ville

Château de Ville is a castle ruin perched on a rocky hilltop in Challand-Saint-Victor, overlooking the settlements of Nabian and Targnod. The complex still shows a central tower and wall remnants that reveal its former fortified structure.

Construction began around 1200 when Count Thomas I of Savoy authorized Boson III of Challant to build a fortress at this location. The site then developed into the region's principal fortification under the control of the local nobility.

The name recalls the noble residence that served for generations as the seat of the local ruling family. Visitors can still see the chapel with its faded frescoes, which speak to the former grandeur of the place.

The site requires viewing from a safe distance due to structural concerns, and current preservation rules must be respected. The hilltop location offers good vantage points from which to admire the structure and surrounding landscape.

The property resisted a takeover attempt in 1453 by commissioners of the Duke of Savoy who sought to seize control. This episode shows how the fortress played an important political role in the regional power struggle despite its remote location.

Location: Challand-Saint-Victor

Address: loc. Villa

GPS coordinates: 45.68491,7.70025

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:22