Château du Bourget
Description
The Château du Bourget, also known as the Castle of Thomas II or the Castle of the Counts of Savoy, is a former castle-palace dating from the mid-13th century. Its ruins stand in Le Bourget-du-Lac, Savoie (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), and have been listed as a historic monument since 1983.
Built near the southern shore of Lake Bourget at the mouth of the Leysse River, the castle occupied a strategic yet unusual position in a flood-prone plain. It served as a residence, hunting lodge, and center of diplomacy and justice for the Counts of Savoy, and could be reached by road or by boat. From the late 13th to the early 15th century, it was one of the principal comital residences before being gradually abandoned in favor of sites along Lake Geneva.
Over time the castle passed through various noble families, fell into ruin, and was partly dismantled in the 19th century before being rescued and protected. Archaeological excavations and restorations have been carried out since the late 19th century.
Today, the remains include sections of the defensive enclosure, towers, and residential structures, illustrating the layout of a 13th-century Savoyard castle-palace set within a unique lakeside environment.
Address
Bourget, France
Established
13th century