Avully Castle

Avully Castle, locally known as Château d'Avully or Château Saint-Michel d'Avully, lies east of the village of Brenthonne in the Haute-Savoie department in France.

In 1172 the family name of Avully was mentioned for the first time, as vassals of the Faucigny family. In 1323 the house of the Avully's, which was built on the remains of a 1st century Gallo-Roman villa, was confessed to the Counts of Savoy. In 1336 it was confessed to the Dauphins of Viennois. On that occasion it was ordered that the house should be fortified. So, after that order, the house was rebuilt into a castle.

In the beginning of the 15th century Avully Castle went to the Boëge family, by marriage. In 1441 the castle was given, by Jacquemette de Boëge, to Louis I, Duke of Savoy. That same year Louis sold it to a burgher of Geneva; Boniface de Saint-Michel. His descendants started to call themselves the Saint-Michel d'Avully's. During their ownership, a lot of alterations were made to the castle.

In 1756 Avully castle was bought by the Sales family, who kept it until 1896. The castle escaped the French Revolution with only minor damages; its moats were filled in and its keep was lowered. After 1896 the castle was abandoned and quickly fell to ruin. In 1971 the ruins were acquired by a company and a restoration commenced, which would take 44 years.

At present the castle is private property. It is used as a venue for wedding receptions and seminars. It can also be visited for a fee. When I visited, the castle was in the final years of its restoration. I've seen pictures of its nicely restored interior and I'd like to go back for a visit.

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