The private Romanesque section of an emblematic Savoy fortress,
on a rocky promontory, dominating the Isère Valley
on a rocky promontory, dominating the Isère Valley
Saint-Pierre-d'Albigny,
SAVOIE
rhones-alps
73250
FR
Location
This property, the private, habitable section of one of the Savoy’s heritage monuments, dominates the Savoy Valley and looks down on the Arc-Isère confluence. Standing on a rocky escarpment of the southern slopes of the Bauges Mountains and dominating the Isère Plain as well as the mountains lining the horizon, its only neighbour is the fortress’ impressive historic section, originally separated from it by an old stationary bridge. It is located in the east section of the citadel, above a little hamlet, at an ideal altitude of some 550 m.
This property has been owned by the same family since 1869. The site is easily reached as it is about 25 km from Albertville; 35 km from Chambery (TGV train station); 60 km from Grenoble and 100 km from Geneva. The nearest international airports are those of Geneva and Lyon-Saint-Exupéry.
Description
The Outer Bailey is reached via the communal ascent leading to the fortress, after having passed through the miniature castle gatehouse and climbed the slope flanked by the high ramparts. All the buildings are set out around the gardens, reached via a wide gateway; this entire private section is totally independent from the historic section.
Said gardens, exuding a Romanesque air and enhanced with a wide, circular, spring-fed fountain, are laid out all on one level, with one section of the land sloping very gently down to the watchtower on the east side. The site looks out northwards, southwards and eastwards; the view to the west taking in the historic, uninhabited section of the fortress. The terrace reached from one of the buildings has a 360° view. The entire site is protected by a high perimeter wall, with a wall-walk along the entire north side.
The main building (a house), with its middle-class appearance, faces the gardens. Reflecting an early 19th century style, it comprises a ground floor and two levels of living rooms, topped with a gable roof, and looks out over the gardens. A large tower, slightly oblong in shape, communicates with the main building solely via its ground floor level (a room in use as a kitchen). Its independent first floor is reached via an outside stairway.
Other buildings are set out around the gardens:
- on the south and east sides of the ramparts, an old watchtower, spanning two levels, is topped with a pavilion roof. It can be reached via the wall-walk and via the gardens. A large, 2-storey building, used for barn and storage purposes, is topped with a terrace.
- on the south side, a chapel, spanning a ground surface area of approx. 100 m², dates from the 15th century.
- on the west side: a pavilion standing at the west entrance to the Outer Bailey, spans two levels. It is used as a gatehouse and for office purposes.
Said gardens, exuding a Romanesque air and enhanced with a wide, circular, spring-fed fountain, are laid out all on one level, with one section of the land sloping very gently down to the watchtower on the east side. The site looks out northwards, southwards and eastwards; the view to the west taking in the historic, uninhabited section of the fortress. The terrace reached from one of the buildings has a 360° view. The entire site is protected by a high perimeter wall, with a wall-walk along the entire north side.
The main building (a house), with its middle-class appearance, faces the gardens. Reflecting an early 19th century style, it comprises a ground floor and two levels of living rooms, topped with a gable roof, and looks out over the gardens. A large tower, slightly oblong in shape, communicates with the main building solely via its ground floor level (a room in use as a kitchen). Its independent first floor is reached via an outside stairway.
Other buildings are set out around the gardens:
- on the south and east sides of the ramparts, an old watchtower, spanning two levels, is topped with a pavilion roof. It can be reached via the wall-walk and via the gardens. A large, 2-storey building, used for barn and storage purposes, is topped with a terrace.
- on the south side, a chapel, spanning a ground surface area of approx. 100 m², dates from the 15th century.
- on the west side: a pavilion standing at the west entrance to the Outer Bailey, spans two levels. It is used as a gatehouse and for office purposes.
The house
The main house covers an area of ground of around 321m². It is in a decent state. It is regularly kept in good condition, but some renovation work could improve its comfort. It offers 650m² of living space, including vast reception rooms and comfortable bedrooms on the first floor and top floor, the latter being an attic level where several garrets lie. Many of the large eighteenth-century-style windows are embellished with stained-glass patterns. At the property’s entrance, an imposing oblong tower that covers an area of ground of around 165m² connects to the main house from its two floors.
The ground floor
The ground floor has many large openings on its garden side. A spacious kitchen with a floor area of around 40m² and 2.5m-thick walls makes up most of the bottom of the adjoining tower. The reception rooms (dining room, large and small lounge, and a library) take up around 150m² of living space. You enter the building via a hallway. This room of around 30m² is made up of an open space that rises through two levels. It features a beautiful timber staircase of two quarter turns and two flights of steps.
The first floor
You reach the first floor via the hallway’s broad staircase (you can also reach it via an external staircase). A long corridor connects to six bedrooms overlooking the gardens. Some of these bedrooms have a floor area of over 25m². The adjoining tower, which can also be reached via the same external staircase, surprises you not just with its impressive structure but its splendid interior too. It is circular in form and it houses a bedroom with a floor area of over 46m². This room has a neo-Gothic appearance and fine wooden panelling. Straight boards cover the floor, its fireplace is monumental and its windows are mostly embellished with stained-glass patterns. In the same room, an annexe bedroom and bathroom give the space originality. A small circular stone staircase is even hidden in the walls.
Second level
A staircase that is separate to the one in the hallway leads up to the top floor. From there, a long corridor connects to seven bedrooms with floor areas of roughly 13m² to 27 m². Each bedroom is filled with natural light from one or two gabled dormers.
The chapel
A chapel covering an area of ground of around 100m² stands along fortifications, on their south side, and looks down over the valley. It dates back to the fifteenth century. Dressed stone covers its floors. Its walls and ribbed vaults adorned with plainly painted surfaces invite you to spend a moment of contemplation here and give the place an even deeper sense of calm.
The watchtower
In the south-east corner of the grounds stands a watchtower covering an area of ground of around 37m². It has two floors and is crowned with a pyramidal roof. You enter its first floor from the rampart walk or the gardens.
The outhouse
This two-floor outhouse stands along the south side of the fortifications. It covers an area of ground of around 127m². A terrace extends on top of it. It is currently used as a barn and storage space. The building could be converted into a guest house or small reception rooms.
The gardens
The gardens are proportionate in size and offer complete privacy. They are just as splendid as the rest of the property and give a sense of calm to this jewel of architecture nestled in a spectacular alpine landscape on the south side of the Bauges mountain range. Tall trees are reflected in the circular fountain in the middle of the lawn. The rampart walks and terraces look out over the breathtaking valley, transforming the gardens into a viewpoint that gazes into infinity. And delightful nooks turn the gardens into a romantic haven of carefree strolls.
The warden’s lodge
Once you have walked through the property’s covered entrance, you see a small house by the west entry to the outer bailey. This little dwelling covers an area of ground of around 26m². It has two floors and serves as offices and as a warden’s lodge. It also marks a boundary with the fortress’s other historical section.
Our opinion
This private, habitable section of a renowned Savoy fortress alone illustrates the rarity and uniqueness of these premises. Fully listed as a French Historic Monument and, therefore, entitled to numerous interesting tax and heritage benefits, it will impress all those who have the privilege to enter its perimeter walls. Perched on its rocky promontory, this extremely stylish property adjoins an Inner Bailey with a rich past and the visual impact of the plains below as well as the mountain ranges facing it is unique. Although in need of some works to install modern-day home comforts, these premises are steeped not only in the charm of old-fashioned romanticism, but also in a serenity all of their own.
2 500 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 716751
| Land registry surface area | 12303 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 550 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 11 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 2000 m2 |
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NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
