About twelve kilometers west of Annecy, perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the Fier gorges, Montrottier Castle surprises with its medieval fairy-tale silhouette. Behind its crenellated ramparts and cylindrical keep hides one of the most astonishing cabinets of curiosities in Haute-Savoie, the result of the passion of a 19th-century collector. A full presentation of this must-see site for those visiting the Lake Annecy region.
Presentation
Montrottier Castle is located in the commune of Lovagny, in Haute-Savoie, very close to the famous Fier gorges. Its position is far from insignificant: the fortress occupies a strategic lock, one of the only passages allowing the crossing of the Fier torrent in the past, which explains its defensive location since the Middle Ages.
To read: The Fier Gorges
The building consists of a massive cylindrical keep, the heart of the pentagonal fortress, complemented by several building wings: the Counts’ residence, the Knights’ residence, the Guards’ hall, and the so-called “Nuns’ Tower,” the oldest part of the site, built on a separate rocky outcrop.
But Montrottier’s fame mainly comes from its contents. The castle houses the exceptional collections gathered by Léon Marès, a great collector of the late 19th century: antique furniture, faience, lace, weapons, tapestries, and artworks brought back from Africa and the Far East. This true cabinet of curiosities, supplemented by bronze bas-reliefs, makes the site both a historic monument and a small museum of decorative arts, unique in the region.
History of the castle
The construction of Montrottier began in the 13th century, initiated by Jean de Montrottier, at the heart of the states of Savoy. Its initial purpose was purely defensive: to monitor and control the crossing of the Fier, a strategic traffic route between valleys. The Nuns’ Tower, the oldest part of the complex, bears witness to this first phase of construction.
The castle then underwent several construction campaigns, notably in the 15th century, which gave it its current appearance as a pentagonal fortress organized around the keep. Like many military buildings in the region, Montrottier subsequently went through several centuries marked by changes of ownership and a progressively less defensive use.
A major turning point came in the 19th century with the arrival of Léon Marès. This wealthy collector, from a prominent family in Montpellier, settled in Savoy and acquired the castle. Passionate about travel and rare objects, he devoted his fortune and expeditions to building a considerable collection, which he installed in the castle’s various rooms. Upon his death, Léon Marès bequeathed the entire estate and its collections to the Florimontane Academy of Annecy, a learned society founded in the 17th century, which still today ensures the conservation and public opening of the site. This legacy explains the exceptional richness and coherence of the collections still visible today.
Classified and protected as a historical monument, the castle underwent restorations in the 19th and then 20th centuries, making it today a witness to several architectural epochs layered from the Middle Ages to the eclecticism of the Belle Époque.
Practical information
Address 60, allée du Château, 74330 Lovagny (Haute-Savoie) Phone: 04 50 46 23 02
Opening period and hours 2026 The castle is open from April 1 to October 31.
- March (off season), April, May, June, September, and October: Wednesday to Sunday and public holidays, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Guided tours at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30 p.m.
- July and August: Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Guided tours at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 p.m. (+ 5:30 p.m. on Sundays). From July 14 to August 20, guided tours take place at 10:30, 11:30, 12, 12:30, before the free opening of the rooms.
The castle is closed from November 4 to March 31. It is recommended to check the hours before visiting, especially in the low season.
Prices
- Adult: €10
- Child (6-15 years): €6
- Free for children under 6 years old
- Group rate (from 15 people): €8 per adult, €6 per child
- Reduced rate for people with disabilities, upon presentation of proof
Events 2026
- Escape game at the castle (by reservation, from 8 years old): €15 per person, castle visit included
- Treasure hunt in the gardens (no reservation needed, from 5 years old): no extra charge
- Birthday parties (5-14 years) with room privatization
- Rental of the estate for weddings and private events
Access and facilities Parking is available nearby (including a coach parking area), as well as a picnic area, public toilets, and a shop. Pets are allowed. However, the site is not wheelchair accessible, a constraint linked to the medieval building’s configuration.
What to do nearby?
A visit to Montrottier naturally fits into a larger excursion around Lovagny and the Fier gorges, just minutes from Annecy.
The Fier Gorges Just below the castle, this spectacular natural site alone is worth the trip. A suspended footbridge runs along the walls of the canyon carved by the torrent, offering an impressive path close to the water. Many visitors combine the visit of the gorges with that of the castle in the same day, the two sites being connected by a trail.
The Castle Trail A family hiking route of about two kilometers links several heritage sites in Lovagny. Marked by interpretive panels, it allows visitors to discover local legends — including that of the fairy fountain and the fairy stone — as well as historical bridges spanning the Fier, such as the Liasses Bridge and the Pontverre Bridge.
Annecy and its lake About twenty minutes by car, the old town of Annecy, its canals, and the lake offer a stark contrast with Montrottier’s medieval atmosphere. A combined castle-gorges-Annecy excursion makes for a full and varied day to discover the heritage of the Annecy basin.
Other castles in the area Haute-Savoie has several other medieval buildings within close range, allowing the extension of the discovery of Savoy’s castle heritage for history enthusiasts.
In summary
With its intact defensive architecture, unique collections bequeathed by a passionate collector, and spectacular natural setting above the Fier gorges, Montrottier Castle combines the medieval history of Savoy and the Belle Époque lifestyle in a single site. A full stop for those exploring the surroundings of Annecy, ideally combined with a visit to the nearby gorges.
